IS SLAVERY REPEATING ITSELF HERE IN BARBADOS - PLEASE READ BELOW THE PLIGHT OF WEST AFRICAN HOLIDAY MAKERS COMING TO BARBADOS AND OTHER CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES ON A TWO WEEK VACATION AND FOUND THEMSELVES STRANDED AFTER THEIR CHARTERED PLANE NEVER RETURNED FOR THEM. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE STRANDED AFRICANS IS A VIOLATION OF THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS. THE MESSAGE BEING PUT OUT IS THAT NO AFRICANS MUST NOT COME TO BARBADOS OR ELSE THEY WILL SUFFER THE INDIGNITY OF BEING INCARCERATED - READ THE STORY BELOW OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TO A GROUP OF STRANDED WEST AFRICAN HOLIDAY MAKERS TO THE ISLAND.

GLOBAL AFRIKAN CONGRESS
BARBADOS CHAPTER

Israel Lovell Foundation
Tel. (246) 437-3113
My Lord's Hill Fax: (246) 437-8216ST MICHAEL
E-Mail:cpmbarbados2@yahoo.com

15 April 2008
URGENT REPORT ON AFRICANS INCARCERATED IN BARBADOS

It is my duty to report that on Tuesday 8th April 2008, the Government of Barbados commenced a "crackdown" on 96 citizens of Ghana and Nigeria who have been stranded in Barbados since their charter flight failed to return for them on the 15th of February 2008.

On Saturday 12th April 2008, a small team of GAC officials visited 32 Ghanaians and Nigerians at the Barbados Defence Force's military camp situate at "Paragon" in the parish of Christ Church.

The camp is enclosed by a high wire fence and is guarded by armed soldiers. We found the 32 West African being held in a fenced area deep within the camp.
Four members of our team, including myself, were afforded the opportunity to speak to the West Africans in private.

The majority of them gave us the following explanation as to how they came to be at the Paragon base:-

1. Having been informed that the Chief Immigration Officer of Barbados wanted to see them at the Immigration Department to "brief" them about efforts being made to return them to Ghana, they made their way to the Immigration Department on Tuesday 8th April 2008.

2. At the Immigration Department, they were informed by the Chief Immigration Officer that the Government had made a decision to place all them in the Defence Force base at "Paragon", pending the arrival of an airplane to take them back to Ghana.

3. They were then taken into custody by Immigration and armed Police Officers, and were initially taken to the Barbados Port, where they were subjected to a medical examination.

4. They were taken from the Port to their respective homes by Immigration and Police Officers, and were ordered to collect their personal belongings.
5. And finally, they were transported to the Paragon Army base by the Immigration Department, accompanied by Police vehicles with sirens blaring.


2. One of the Ghanaians- a Mr. Patrick Adjei- recounted how Immigration Officers came to his home at 2 o'clock in the morning and took him into custody.
All of the West Africans at Paragon felt that they were under detention, and confirmed that they could not leave the precincts of the Army base. They also told us that they had been warned by the authorities that if they went over and beyond the perimeter fence of the base that they would be subjected to "sniper gun fire".

At one stage, I passed around a pen and a sheet of paper and asked them to indicate which of them had Barbadian homes to which they could return, and which ones needed us to arrange accommodation for them with Barbadian families.

It was while this exercise was taking place that an Immigration Officer and two soldiers entered the room and requested that we leave the base.

The reality now is that 32 West Africans, none of whom has committed any criminal offence in Barbados, are incarcerated in a military "prison", and have been in this condition for one week now.

We also subsequently learnt about a few other West Africans who are in the custody of the Immigration Department at another non-military facility. One of these detainees - a Ghanian woman - was sexually assaulted while in detention; and the matter is now engaging the attention of the Royal Barbados Police Force.
The Barbados Chapter of the GAC has obtained offers and commitments from numerous Barbadians to accommodate the West African detainees at their homes, but the Government perversely refuses to allow these, our African brothers and sisters, to return to the bosom of Barbadian civil society pending the arrival of an airplane to take them home.

The Government publicly insists that they are not deporting these stranded Ghanaians and Nigerians, yet they continue to deprive them of their freedom and to hold them against their will. And although they have been incarcerated for a week they have not been afforded the opportunity to speak to the News Media to tell their side of the story: officialdom has been speaking for them and putting words in their mouths.

Over 60 of the stranded West Africans remain at large in the Barbadian society. Because of the horrific events of Tuesday 8th April 2008 many of them are now too scared to go into the Immigration Authorities.

The GAC is convinced that if these were stranded Europeans or North Americans that they would not be treated in this manner.

We now appeal to all agencies that can play a role in coming to the assistance and rescue of our incarcerated guests to make the effort to do so.

DAVID A. COMISSIONG
Ambassador Plenipotentiary

$2M FLIGHT
Published on: 4/18/08.
Nation News

by CARLOS ATWELL

WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE for bringing the almost 100 Africans to Barbados' shores could well face criminal prosecution.

In addition, it may cost Government upwards of $2 million to get the stranded visitors back home.

"Serious investigations will be done to identify who has taken advantage of these men as well as of the good name of three countries [Ghana, Nigeria and Barbados]," said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and International Business Christopher Sinckler.

"I believe there is some kind of criminal activity involved; this is not as it appears. Somebody played a bad game and we will find out who in Barbados was facilitating that, just as they are being pursued in Ghana."

He was speaking to the Press yesterday in the VIP lounge of the Grantley Adams International Airport, hours before he left for Ghana to attend the United Nations (UN) Conference on Trade and Development in Doha, Qatar.

Sinckler said there were several problems facing the Government in getting the stranded Africans back home, chief of which was sourcing a plane to make the trip.

"The Barbados Government is trying everything within its power . . . [but] it will cost more than US$1 million to get the appropriate aircraft; even more to put them on a commercial aircraft as we would have to negotiate with the countries they would have to stop in."

He said a special type of aircraft, one which could fly over water for an extended period, was required, but only a few companies in the world possessed such and the aircraft originally chartered to fly the Africans here was being leased elsewhere.

He said Senator Maxine McClean, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, had been speaking to various aircraft companies but so far had not been successful.

Sinckler also appealed to those Africans who had not yet accepted the offer to be housed at Paragon, Christ Church, to do so.

He refuted claims they were being mistreated and said the Government was working with the UN on the matter.

"We will not be tolerating citizens, who should know better, encouraging civil disobedience with inflammatory and unnecessary dialogue.

"It is in the interest of every Barbadian to get their African brothers and sisters home safely," he said.

Comissiong offers Africans housing
by MELISSA ROLLOCK

Posted: Apr 15, 2008 14:12 UTC


BRIDGETOWN - The 32 West Africans now housed at the Barbados Defence Force's Paragon base in Christ Church have been offered alternative accommodations by private citizens.

Co-chairman of the Global Afrikan Congress, David Comissiong, said he and a team of individuals who visited the group of Ghanaians and Nigerians last week had managed to secure commitments to house all of those staying at the base.

". . . We are in a position to take as many of the 32 Paragon 'residents' who wish to relocate to less restrictive accommodation within Barbadian civil society," he stated in a letter dated yesterday, and addressed to Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Senator Maxine McClean.

He pinpointed Archbishop Granville Williams of the Sons of God Apostolic Spiritual Baptist Church as one offering shelter at his guest house in Pickwick Gap, St Michael, which can accommodate ten people.

Others included attorney Robert "Bobby" Clarke who has committed to housing four. Attorney Ajamu Boardi has offered to accommodate two; Beachview Apartments, Worthing Christ Church, two and tour operator Athurine Reece another five people at her apartments in Bank Hall, St Michael.

In addition, another ten individuals, including Comissiong, are willing to provide shelter for one person each.

Comissiong said the "team" of individuals would take responsibility for transporting their charges to the official meeting area or facility once the authorities informed them that the arrival of an aircraft was imminent.

During a visit to the base last Wednesday, Prime Minister David Thompson said Government had no intention of holding and deporting the Africans who were stranded here since February after a Ghana Airways flight brought them here but did not return to take them back on February 15.

At the time, Thompson said the Paragon base would serve as a facility for those who were unable to fend for themselves as well as a place where they could be easily found since Government was making arrangements for their return home.

However, in his letter, Comissiong said all of the West Africans felt they were under detention and that they could not leave the precincts of the army base. He said they should be treated as guests and guests who experienced misfortune.


Content © Daily Nation 2008 - All Rights Reserved.

Well... now they know Barbados is not for Africans.

I'm sorry but I'm gonna break ranks here. How can they be simply stranded? Why haven't the Ghanian or Nigerian officials stepped in and asked for their citizens back? What's REALLY going on?

Some links

Ghana and Nigerian's Stranded in*Barbados - BARBADOS BLOG POSTS - Barbados Blog Topics

Whither the Stranded Africans? Bajan Free Press

Feature Article of Tuesday, 19 February 2008

UPDATED: Stranded Passengers Working Illegally In Barbados - Ghana International Airlines Strands Passengers For Weeks Barbados Free Press

Still no word from the Ghanian or Nigerian authorities?

Actually there as been communication between these goverments and Barbados...the problem is, who is going to pay.

First thing I thought about. I didn't want to jump to conclusions as to imply working there illegally. At the same time it's not that bizzare. I've been stranded in the Caribbean myself by American Airlines(THE American Airlines) who are notorious for that. Matter of fact it occured on 2 islands.



Ok not for Continental Africans

It is what it is.

[quote=Black Lion;1469378]IS SLAVERY REPEATING ITSELF HERE IN BARBADOS - .

Did you copy and paste this or were you the tit responsible for its construction?

Well shall we entertain the idea of what the Liberian Governement would do, if they thought Caribbeans were taking the piss out of their immigration policy?

And who are you trying to kid that planes not returning to pick up their passengers ISNT unusual.

[quote=Le Moor;1469848]LOL Caribbean people been in Liberia from long time ago...lol.

Sorry xenaphobia is xenaphobia. I guarantee they wouldn't have done that to white people. Black people are like pitbulls, they attack each other but hump the legz of their masters.

And there have been plenty people stranded down there, due to not having enough room on a flight, or just plain mismanagement of fligth schedules and seating. It's happening in the US now, people getting their flights canceled. The air line industry is struggling, so you must consider all possibliities before you aSSume.

Ghana airlines should have done better, at teh same time Barbados treated those people like terrorist, as bad as the US would treat insurgents or something. Then again they do call it little England right? ahhh

[=DSP;1469908][=Le Moor;1469848]

LOL Caribbean people been in Liberia from long time ago...lol.

What you laughing at cos i cant see anything funny. Show me reports of Carribbeans who have potentially SCAMMED their way into Liberia, by way of their plane not returning to pick them the **** up. Thats the only comparison i need to hear from you, you jester.

Sorry xenaphobia is xenaphobia. I guarantee they wouldn't have done that to white people. Black people are like pitbulls, they attack each other but hump the legz of their masters.

Well white people wouldnt have been left stranded on the island for two months, making it clearer that the Govenement had probably been scammed which is embarrasing. So you're right we wouldnt have treated them the same because the situation wouldnt have EVER occurred with them. If it had, id put my money on the result being the same, but thats summon we'll never know, will we?

Since you're on the tip of what Africans are like, i still would like to hear from you on how you feel the Liberian government would deal with anyone who they felt were abusing their intelligence and immigration policy? Dont shy away from this question with your lame ass "LOL we have Caribbeans in Liberia" crap. Give me equal comparisons or shut your trap.

And there have been plenty people stranded down there, due to not having enough room on a flight, or just plain mismanagement of fligth schedules and seating. It's happening in the US now, people getting their flights canceled. The air line industry is struggling, so you must consider all possibliities before you aSSume.

Please theres a big diference between flight cancellations and flights not returning EVER. This is not normal in the Caribbeean, or anywhere on the planet, so move on.

Ghana airlines should have done better, at teh same time Barbados treated those people like terrorist, as bad as the US would treat insurgents or something. Then again they do call it little England right? ahhh[/quote]

I dont condone the incarcerations at'll but i know WHY they happened after two months, and no-one in Africa wanting to take responsibility, including the payment of getting these people home. It was clear the Bajan authorities felt like someone was taking the piss. Therein lies the problem, one which you seriously cant tell me that Barbados are the only Governement who would have reacted badly or worse even.

Africans like you make me laugh though, spouting your emotional diatribe about Africans being like pit-bulls blah blah, (as if unity is a one way process to benefit one party), and look how quick you are to step aside, with your "Little England" shite. But seriously you need to shut your ignorant mouth because we dont appreciate your phucking tone.

I have never heard of people going somewhere on holiday being left stranded abroad by the airline that brought them forever. Its not possible, the 'stranded' Africans are lying plain and simple. Did they have return tickets? if the airline went bust the governments of Ghana and Nigeria would've found alteratives to bring their citizens home. I don't condone locking people up as they can be found pretty easily especially somewhere as small as Barbados but I think the Bajans know they're having the piss taken out of them. The real problem here is that every genuine Ghanian and Nigerian tourist going to Barbados is going to be more heavily scrutinised because of this. I also think branding the Bajans as potential slave masters is out of order too especially as many Bajans have taken the stranded men into their homes.

I dont condone the incarcerations at;ll but i know WHY it happened after two months, and No-one in Africa wanted to take responsibiliy, inculding the payment of getting these people home. It was clear the Bajan authorities felt like someone was taking the piss. Therein lies the problem, one which you seriously cant tell me that Barbabdos are the only Governement who would have reacted badly or worse even.

Africans like you make me laugh though, earlier you're spouting your emotional diatribe about what Africans are like, (as if unity is a one way process to benefit one party), and look how quick you are to step aside, with your "Little England" shite. But seriously you need to shut your ignorant mouth because we dont appreciate your phucking tone.[/quote]

After reading this post, the irony is you calling me emotional.
I didn't say they were lying or telling the truth, but to jump to conclusions is also ASSuming. With the current state of the airline industry along with fuel prices I can see how Ghana airlines could be in this scenario. I mentioned they should have done better. If it were up to me they should have never flown there under the circumstances. I'm just saying you can't jump to any conclusions. You're there condoning dentention and sexual assualt when it has yet to be determined that the passengers were scamming immigration officials. I see real hypocrisy your own post.

But DSP, a lot of them where found working on building site (cheap labour??) when they're supposed to visiting for two weeks. If they wanna work get a work permit.

What really bugged me is that Ghanian authorities seem to be dragging their feet over this, like "they're in Barbados you can keep them".

I understand from that perspective. It seems as if someone was running some kind of undercover migrant worker scam. Even with that, the manner of detaining them and assaulting them seems a bit over the top.

NATION NEWS

Local News Story
The Nation Newspaper | OPEN DOOR

OPEN DOOR
Published on: 4/20/08.

by TIM SLINGER

THIRTY-ODD AFRICANS who have been housed at the Barbados Defence Force's (BDF) military base at Paragon, Christ Church, for the past week were granted conditional freedom yesterday, as they strolled out with broad smiles.

The visitors from Ghana and Nigeria who were left stranded after a Ghana Airways charter flight did not return to take them back last February 15, will be allowed to leave the military base between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

The latest development followed a request to the Government by the People's Empowerment Party (PEP) and the Barbados' chapter of the Global African Congress (GAC) to grant the Africans temporary release.

In a letter to Prime Minister David Thompson last Thursday, PEP's president David Comissiong wrote: "The PEP would like our guests to be permitted to return to their temporary Barbadian homes while they await a flight to Ghana, but your Minister of Immigration has made it clear that your Government is not prepared to allow this to happen."

It added: "We are therefore now requesting that you at least allow these West African residents of Paragon to be permitted to leave the base during the day and to return by a stipulated hour at night."

The temporary release of the Africans will continue until a flight is found to take them home.


Report to BDF

Additionally, all of them, including those now being housed by Barbadian families, were asked to report to the immigration for resettlement at Paragon.

Minister of State (Immigration) Senator Maxine McClean has confirmed that arrangements were now in place to allow the Africans to leave the army compound daily for the eight-hour period.

McClean said permission would be granted during which time the Government would try to get a flight to take the Africans home.

"I have given instructions to immigration until we can get a flight," she told the SUNDAY SUN yesterday evening.

It was close to midday that a bus load of the West Africans were reunited with some of their friends who were living with Barbadian families. There were visible signs of emotion as they hugged each other and relived the ordeal of being stranded in Barbados for the past two months.

"We don't want to be pitied. All we just want is to get back home and re-start our lives," spokesman Caesar Ikeme said.

He said when the truth of their misfortune was told, those in authority would regret the action taken against them.

"We have done nothing wrong. We have not committed a crime. It is just the misinformed minority, because when they come to know the truth, they would know we should not be treated as such," he added.

Ikeme also said there was nothing sinister about their visit to the Caribbean. He said most of them were only interested in setting up trade ties, or familiarising themselves with their "brothers and sisters in Barbados".

Former Government minister and president of the Israel Lovell Foundation, Trevor Prescod, has urged Government to immediately begin the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Africans' plight.

"The Prime Minister indicated he would make a call for an investigation, as soon as all of these brothers and sisters depart for Africa.

"I, as well as members of the GAC, are fully supportive of the investigation, but what we are asking is to start the investgation now with the brothers and sisters [Africans] so they can tell their story," he said.

Prescod also appealed to the remaining Africans who had not turned themselves into immigration authorities to do so immediately and avoid the likelihood of deportation.

The Immigration Department has also issued a call for them to get in touch with their offices no later than tomorrow.

The group of Africans arrived in Barbados on February 1 for a two-week holiday.

Please see also Page 11A.

I don't know about Ghana but the Nigerian government doesn't really give a $hit about their citizens...to concerned about how to siphon off more funds into their swiss accounts.

I suppose that this is one situation where one can't scream until they are blue in the face about racism. Imagine if Barbados had been Britain. . .

People Trafficking with a major Airlines and Two Government involved. You Folks never cease to amaze and rush to conclusions. How can you traffic people who were not long ago given an OFFICIAL WLECOME to the Island?

The Ghanaian Government had nothing to do with that flight. The plane was chartered. Do you understand how that works? It means Ghanaian Airlines leased a plane to an operator who put up the money. Anyone can charter a flight as long as you have enough money, including a trafficker who has enough financial incentive or motive to do so. Yes the Bajan Authorities greeted the plane officially, because they were EXCITED about the first flight direct from Ghana and wanted to mark the occasion. Probably another reason why the government felt that SOMEONE WAS TAKING THE LIVING PISS and insulting their good natures and intelligence. They did this however by liaising with the tour operator and not the Ghanaian government as you stated.

A lot of the Passengers are now working in Barbados and apparently now want to stay. Ya don't say. Some of them disappeared to other islands mainly Trinidad. Why would they do this if there is no promise of a connecting flight home, which of course there isn't.? The flight was predominately occupied by men, very unusual if this flight was full of genuine holidaymakers don't ya think, unless they were all Gay couples that is.

And why keep spreading the myth that planes not returning in this way is NOT that unusual . Yes passengers get stranded all the time but the difference is the problem is usually rectified, the next day or a few days after at most. Being stranded for 2 mths is RARE, UNUSUAL, WEIRD anything but normal.

It may be nice to think the best of people but these travellers are obviously economic migrants. I see no shame in that. Everyone will take their chance at a better life but it doesn't mean that they will not come up against other nation's laws if they try a stunt like this. Obviously they have been exploited by persons unknown who have provided their transit but this is hardly Barbados' responsibility. Nor did their own governments instigate this situation.

"IS SLAVERY REPEATING ITSELF HERE IN BARBADOS"
Offensive suggestion. Barbados has allowed these men to stay in private homes. Do you think England would do that? Do you think the USA would allow that? Instead of criticising Barbados it might be more appropriate to pay them some respect for being MUCH MORE LENIENT than what would be the usual procedure.

"The reality now is that 32 West Africans, none of whom has committed any criminal offence in Barbados ..."
The reality is that their still being in Barbados under these circumstances is the "criminal offence".

"Over 60 of the stranded West Africans remain at large in the Barbadian society. Because of the horrific events of Tuesday 8th April 2008 many of them are now too scared to go into the Immigration Authorities."
Or "too scared" because it is likely to result in them returning to their countries of origin!

I suppose the USA is? Ask the relatives of Amadou Diallo or Ousmane Zongo.

Of course - and why should Barbados pay? Those involved are not Bajan citizens.

Maybe the xenophobia mentioned is actually being displayed by the West Africans trying to scam Barbados! Aren't the "holiday-makers" who have "disappeared" and those who have relocated to Trinidad concerned, that when their plane does eventually show up, they might miss it? After all, all they want is to get back home.

If you could generate energy from the BS content of this thread, there would be enough to power up the BN Village forums well into the next century.

Vubundada_Kandaba

I like to think the best about most people, but making excuses do not sit
well with me.... Poor planning indeed.
I would like you to tell me Vubundada where you are getting your information,
as it seems there is quite a lot of errors in your version of events.

Here are a few links that might clear things up for you.



153 GIA passengers stranded in Barbados - ModernGhana.com
Ghanaians still stranded in Barbados - ModernGhana.com
12 Million Dollars To Be Spent On Stranded Ghanaians In Barbados - ModernGhana.com
Ghanaians Stranded In Barbados Get To Finally Pack Bags Barbados Underground - bringing the news to the people

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