In a bold speech at the Chamber of Commerce 40th anniversary dinner on Saturday night, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson warned the Cayman Islands against discrimination towards Jamaicans
And Mr. Patterson inferred that, if Cayman introduced visa requirements for Jamaican nationals, then the Jamaican government could also change its own immigration policies.
The Jamaican Prime Minister was guest of honour and principal speaker at the celebrations at the Marriot Hotel.
Referring to the proposed imminent introduction of visas for Jamaican nationals he said that every country had a right to protect its borders.
‘Jamaica fully respects the rights of any administration, whether dependent or sovereign, to apply appropriate immigration controls,’ he said.
‘However, Jamaica equally reserves the right to effect such changes as are necessary to protect its borders and citizens affected by visa requirements elsewhere.’
And he stressed that, after Jamaican nationals had gone through proper immigration controls, they should be treated without discrimination.
‘Once our citizens legally enter any territory they must be treated equally and subjected to no form of discrimination in any form,’ he said.
Mr. Patterson praised the many contributions Jamaicans had made to Caymanian society at all levels.
‘Our two countries share a unity of experience and history that has created a strong bond between us,’ he said. ‘This connection has not been severed despite Jamaica’s independence since 1962.
‘The people of the Cayman Islands have always enjoyed their own distinctive characteristics. These have become evident by economic growth of the islands and the worthwhile recognition as a major centre for international banking and business conglomerates.
‘I need not remind this audience of the many Jamaicans who practice their professions here and contribute immensely to the progress of this territory.’
In particular, he commended Jamaican construction workers for helping to rebuild Cayman after Hurricane Ivan.
‘I want to reiterate Jamaica’s firm commitment to fostering and deepening the traditional ‘good neighbourly’ relations with the Caymanian people,’ he added.
‘We remain committed to assisting in any way we can. We share similar economic and social development objectives.’
Mr. Patterson also referred to Cayman’s associate membership of CARICOM and urged the country to become more involved with the organisation.
Mr. Patterson arrived in Cayman on Friday – the day after the Government was originally proposing to impose the new visas requirements for Jamaican nationals.
The date was deferred, however, after Honorary Jamaican consul, Mr. Robert Hamaty, asked for more time before the regulations were introduced.
The measures are being imposed in an attempt to reduce crime in Cayman, which has soared since Hurricane Ivan.
The Chamber of Commerce suggested the introduction of visas for all nationals from countries considered ‘high risk’.
Although some nations such as the Philippines previously required visas for their citizens to enter the Cayman Islands, it is unclear whether any other nationals apart from Jamaicans will be affected by the incoming visa requirements.
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