Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Reaffirms Commitment to Free Movement

Immigration ministers of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have reaffirmed their commitment to fully implementing the free movement of persons within the sub-region. This initiative aligns with the OECS Policy on Rights Contingent on the Right to Freedom of Movement, which grants citizens the right to indefinite stay, employment, and equal access to social and economic services in participating member states.

The OECS comprises Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, Montserrat, and Anguilla.

At the third Council of Ministers of Immigration meeting, ministers endorsed measures to strengthen border security and improve responses to environmental disasters affecting migration. They also reiterated support for the OECS Ministerial Declaration, which advocates strategic disaster response measures.

The ministers emphasized the urgent implementation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Arrest Warrant Treaty and Model Bill to enhance law enforcement’s ability to return individuals evading judicial actions. They also agreed to enact Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) legislation, ensuring border officials receive timely passenger data within the CARICOM and OECS regions.

Additionally, discussions covered the full implementation of the OECS Contingent Rights Policy through the enactment of the draft Model Bill. This legislation is essential to ensure that citizens of OECS Protocol Member States receive equal employment, education, healthcare, and social protection rights across member states without discrimination.

The ministers also endorsed a public advocacy plan to raise awareness of contingent rights and free movement policies. The meeting featured presentations from the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) on the Caricom Arrest Warrant Treaty, API, and PNR.

Updates were provided by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on the UN Security Trust Fund Joint Programme and Labour Migration Policy, as well as by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the Cartagena Plus 40 process.

Montserrat has assumed the chairmanship of the OECS Council of Ministers for Immigration. -(CMC)