Let me make it clear from the start. More often than not, oppressive, discriminatory state policy is not a reflection of popular behaviour or predisposition. For today’s example, I select the conclusion that T&T is not a welcoming society.
Let me restate: This does not imply
that Trinidadians and Tobagonians are, on average, cold, unfriendly, and inhospitable
people. We are not.
Just last week, for instance, in
the company of a young Jamaican family member visiting for the first time, a
joke with a Chaguanas food vendor about our advanced state of hunger yielded
two free meals. No matter how hard we tried, the lady refused our money.
We returned a few days later with a
gift and, had it not been for COVID, there would have no doubt been tight hugs
in the manner of old friends or family. We were also offered free callaloo.
Contrastingly, a group of regional
students here for mandatory UWI sessions departed as fast as their travel
itineraries permitted - unlike their colleague who decided on an additional
week.
It had not helped that their first
and second official contacts had failed to provide basic welcome, guidance, and
services that would have made their stay much less stressful.
It was also not good that tales back
home of horrors past had prepared them for the worst – much of which, in their
collective opinion, was eventually realised.
Through all this I am still holding
my tongue on public exposure of a number of instances in which it is clear that
our policy, law, and official practice constitute violations of the spirit of
regional commitments. Yet, the speeches have been grandiloquent, and the
signatures appear on treaties with flair.
There are two ongoing applications
before the immigration authorities, for example, that are shameful and
embarrassing to this country as former leaders in regional affairs. I cannot go
into the gory details because there can and will be a vindictive backlash.
Needless to say, the application of
archaic laws combined with a completely unhelpful, unwilling official demeanour
has conspired to relay to those in question that they are not welcome here.
These are actual cases, the details
of which would turn every citizen with a soul to anger.
Yet, I generously suggest that this
does not only point to the disrespectful, contemptuous behaviour of state
officials. It cannot be that people who grew up and went to school and live in
my country can be so cruel. I refuse to believe that.
So it was that I spent part of last
week with colleagues discussing media coverage of migration issues with a focus
mainly on the arrival of non-Caricom nationals. Enlightening inputs from
Justice Vashiest Kokaram and attorney/law lecturer, Jason Nathu helped us come to
terms with the archaic nature of applicable laws and policy.
When considered alongside the
concerns of agencies such as the UNHCR and IOM, it became clear that these things
are only partially the function of uncaring state operatives. What we have is the
absence of clear policy, enlightened law, and the persistence of a politics of
division - the latter well learned from the colonials, but now with a momentum
of its own.
You already know my views on the
regional paradigm to which we claim to belong. International humanitarian law,
the Treaty of Chaguaramas, domestic legislation and political posturing all
conspire to paint a picture in direct conflict with actual process and action.
“You are not welcome here” is the
essential message. No wonder why the longstanding cluelessness on matters
related to refugee policy, immigration, tourism, and the application of
regional solutions via institutions such as the CCJ.
None of this, by the way, is
irrelevant to the senseless attack on recently-appointed attorney general,
Reginald Armour – an outstanding, independent, legal professional with
credentials that exceed the requirements of his new job. Real legal minds have
already pronounced on the matter. But I hope we all got the implicit message.
Link this to what I flagged last
week as the longstanding (racist) myth of invading “small islanders” for
purposes of bolstering political support.
Over the years there has been
little change when it comes to such matters since it has been deemed to be of
political value to instil baseless fear regarding the inward flows of people – despite
400 years of arrivals.
“We” (who all came) have been
saying “keep away” all our relatively short national lives. Many, many more
have left though. Most, never to return.
