BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 7th 2009 (PAM Secretariat) - Shadow Minister within the People’s Action Movement Roy Fleming is calling on the Minister of National Security to launch an immediate investigation into claims of non-nationals being discriminated and victimized.
Fleming said that his party has been made aware of a number of non-nationals, particularly from Guyana, Jamaica and Santo Domingo, who are being lured while others are forced into making promises that they would vote for the St. Kitts Labour Party in an effort to remain on the island.
This, Flemings stressed, is unethical, criminal and very unprofessional. “People should not be made to vote in fear and, as such, I call on the Minister of National Security who is also the Federation’s Prime Minister to launch an immediate investigation, as a number of non-nationals have been complaining that they are being discriminated because of where they are from,” Fleming said.
He noted that many of these non-nationals are abused and taken advantage of by both Government and some persons from the private sector while these complains continue to go unabated. Flemings said it is either that the Ministry of National Security is impotent to undertake its responsibilities or deliberately refusing to take responsibility.
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According to Fleming, over the past several months allegations and complains continue to surface with no action being taken. He said that based on past experiences, his party is aware of the Denzil Douglas-led administration setting the wrong example, resulting in increase challenges and difficulties.
Fleming claimed that the grave decline in the rule of law in St. Kitts and Nevis, the wanton trampling of the human rights of citizens and residents by the present administration, and the unprecedented number of allegations and complains of discrimination by non-nationals are no secret, noting that immediate action is needed. He also urged all non-nationals to remain in solidarity with his party, stressing that under a PAM administration they would be treated with respect and dignity. He also noted that while Kittitians and Nevisians have been able to live and work in other countries, so should non-nationals who could be viewed as assets to the Federation.
The PAM Constituency Two representative issued an appeal for all non-nationals to remain strong, urging them not be to intimidated and driven under cover out of fear because of the action of Government officials and functionaries. He added that the People’s Action Movement is a party that is prepared to welcome all, irrespective of one’s political persuasion.
“We recognize that when we form the next Government that we need to do a lot of damage control, as a number of non-nationals, including our own citizens, have been discriminated and victimized in many ways,” Fleming declared.
