BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Barbados Foreign Affairs Minister, Maxine McClean, has dismissed allegations by a Jamaican woman who says she was mistreated by Barbadian Immigration officials on a visit to the country two weeks ago.
The woman, Shanique Myrie, says she was subjected to two demeaning cavity searches by a female immigration officer at the Grantley Adams airport when she arrived in Barbados on March 14.
She alleges that the immigration officer also made several derogatory remarks about Jamaicans.
The Jamaica Gleaner reported that the allegations have sparked a diplomatic row between Jamaica and Barbados, leading Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ken Baugh, to write Barbadian authorities demanding an immediate investigation into Myrie’s claims.
Minister of National Security, Dwight Nelson, has also asked Public Defender Earl Witter to intervene.
However, in a story published by CANA News on Sunday, McClean says a thorough investigation conducted by the Barbados Immigration and Customs Department into the allegations by Myrie shows that the accusations are false.
According to the Barbados minister, Myrie was denied entry into Barbados because she failed to establish where she would be staying in the country.
The minister said that Myrie’s body was never searched, only her luggage.
I wonder what these critics of Barbados and All Bajans would say if Ms.Myrie is found guilty of misrepresenting the facts. Hope they are honest enough to publicly apologise as they publicly condemn.
A Bajan
Barbados sent Jamaica the Great Jackie Opel, the great Sir Frank Worrell,and the Great Owen Authur,and because they began to Excel Many Jamaicans hated that. Jamaica is returning the favor by sendind Bleach-out whores with Drugs up they crushes. One of the biggest problems Jamaica has is the fact its people lack basic knowledge of the caribbean. Bajans operate on A common sense openminded approach to everthing. Jamaicans are the complete opposite. These two will never see eye to eye.
I have dated a few Jamaican men and I swear they do have nasty attitudes they curse absolutely too much at their significant other.Now I don’t know if they do it to all women,I think at the beginning that their charming when you meet them and then as you get to know them you get set in with them , they can be deceitful and very disrespectful ,if I had known what I later on would still find it to be true ,I would have not ended up with another one of them again they lie, cheat on their woman she can be the best and georgeous they still will disrespectfully stare at another bi… with no respect in your face ,.If they were married before and divorce the memories of their ex always travels on their brain so there for the ex was to marry so they waste another woman’s time and a decent one
Um.i was trying to say they often have lingering thoughts of the past .I don’t want to believe their all the same but it’s rare to say their not ,.I can speak from experience and my knowledge of Jamaican men they are professional playas of female they like every single woman they see
I just can’t stand bajans… And they will never get a dime from me.. I rather buy a product from trinidad..u guys make me sick..
I’m from Jamaica and i plan on going Barbados soon but was doing some research on what to expect. But to tell you the truth i’m not too comfortabke with othere there after all all your comments got me scared and now i don’t kno what to xpect knowing that i’ll be travelling alone for the first time …. sighs! I do believe Ms. Myrie if she had done something wrong she would not have procast it.
Please, I beg you don’t come we just don’t like you fools, please develop your island if it is so beautiful why do you want to come to Barbados I can asure you I cannot find 10 bajans who would want to go to jamaica, beside your Money is worthless here.
Please check what is the meaning of fool.Ha,haaaaaaaaaaaaa
ALL of these comments and statements are EXACTLY why racisim and other gerenalizations of this world exist! My family is predominetly Bajan, with some Jamacians, Trini’s guyanese and Grenadians salt and peppered throughout. You can NOT condemn a whole nation of people because of your bad experiences! As stated before, most of my family is bajan (I was born and raisied in Toronto, Ontario) and they are the kindest most loving and helpful people you could ever meet. They love the Lord and love respect and treat others how they want to be treated. From the most elderly or relatives to the youngest children…they all act this way. As in ANY family we have people that act unfavorably and immature, and as big as my family is, I can think of 5 people that act that way. I am married to a jamacian man and he has said the same things about my family, he has never met people in his WHOLE life (and he travels around the world in the U.S military) That are so caring, kind and loving! I am very insulted and saddened by the generalizations that everyone is making. Yes I can agree that some bajans can act very unmannerly, rude and stuck up, but that is true of many nationalities….I have experienced that very SAME bad behaviour and HORRIBLE rudeness many of you speak about from MANY MANY Jamacians, and Trinis….and maybe a few guyanese, and grenadians. But I have NEVER once made up my mind about a whole nation of people based on those bad experiences because that is unfair. This is what is wrong with the world today, some do something “bad” and instead of condemning that PERSONS actions, we condemn them as a people and then want to destroy them or their country…that is unfair to the innocent, God fearing people that DO live there. My grandfather was a great example of this, he was sick and dying of cancer and STILL managed to help others in the name of the Lord and recieved an award from at his funeral for all his humanitarian work. so before you condemn and persecute a whole island, please look in your own backyard and recognize that there are messed up people all over the world! God bless!
Look i understand the emotions and passions involved. My take on it is simply this, its no secret that bajan immigration have no regard for any one except their ‘white’ forefathers and as such their arrogance precedes them. They treat everyone but the whites as dogs and their leaders (one after the other) cover up and condole their behaviour. there is simply no redress. the CCJ remains as white an elephant as the people the bajan regard as humans. so what can we do, well as my mother always say to me ‘don’t make it a habit of going where you are not welcomed’ to me its just that simple. leave those people tiny island alone; there are so many other beautiful destinations around the Caribbean, why subject yourself to such inhumane treatment to spend your hard earned money in a place where they are emphatically declaring that they don’t need it.
Jamaicans historically have bad attitudes and are involved in nefarious activities, they should be banned from travel globally, let alone coming to sweet sweet Barbados
I work at the airport and it would be easy to do the same to a Bajan. Make no mistake i will not be pushing my fingers into anyones vagina. Unlike your government mine wont back my behaviour.
Caricom passport is a joke and am happy to say i will be by passing it and sticking to Jamaica’s own.
We Jamaicans aint no saints but am proud to be one right now. Sure your conscience won’t allow you to say that.
You are such a jackass to think that Barbados is sweet. In this century, you are still held hostage to your white slave masters. By the way, you are sleeping at the wheel of the sugar and cotton mill. Get going or I will throw a few dozen of you slaves in the fire or hang you by your tongue.
We don’t want u people to spoil our perfect island. Since u all those Jamaicans so much, go there for your visa renewals.
Feisty Bajy!
Don’t pretend like Barbados don’t make money off Visa renewals. Stop hating because they world likes us Jamaicans
Been to Barbados twice never misread, or insulted. I just follow there rules. They are are major transit point for international travelers. Security tight! Some JA women are treated they way they represent themselves. I have spent alot of time in Antigua airport in transit, and if was was security, I maybe send them back, they can be so rude and incorporation!
ALL of these comments and statements are EXACTLY why racisim and other gerenalizations of this world exist! My family is predominetly Bajan, with some Jamacians, Trini’s guyanese and Grenadians salt and peppered throughout. You can NOT condemn a whole nation of people because of your bad experiences! As stated before, most of my family is bajan (I was born and raisied in Toronto, Ontario) and they are the kindest most loving and helpful people you could ever meet. They love the Lord and love respect and treat others how they want to be treated. From the most elderly or relatives to the youngest children…they all act this way. As in ANY family we have people that act unfavorably and immature, and as big as my family is, I can think of 5 people that act that way. I am married to a jamacian man and he has said the same things about my family, he has never met people in his WHOLE life (and he travels around the world in the U.S military) That are so caring, kind and loving! I am very insulted and saddened by the generalizations that everyone is making. Yes I can agree that some bajans can act very unmannerly, rude and stuck up, but that is true of many nationalities….I have experienced that very SAME bad behaviour and HORRIBLE rudeness many of you speak about from MANY MANY Jamacians, and Trinis….and maybe a few guyanese, and grenadians. But I have NEVER once made up my mind about a whole nation of people based on those bad experiences because that is unfair. This is what is wrong with the world today, some do something “bad” and instead of condemning that PERSONS actions, we condemn them as a people and then want to destroy them or their country…that is unfair to the innocent, God fearing people that DO live there. My grandfather was a great example of this, he was sick and dying of cancer and STILL managed to help others in the name of the Lord and recieved an award from at his funeral for all his humanitarian work. so before you condemn and persecute a whole island, please look in your own backyard and recognize that there are messed up people all over the world! God bless!
i ve been to barbados many time and have never gotten good treatment i must say i love the country but the people got to go thank god i dont need a visa no more i will never go back there times a gettin hard barbados so u better shape up cause haiti will surpass u
Honestly i think this is a make up story because she was denied entry.I know the Barbadians have a tendency to look down on other Carribean nationalities like we are not as good as they are .but i have lived in both countries , 1 year in Barbados and 3 years in Jamaica . They are good at capitalising on situations and crying foul when things doesn`t work out their way.
it’s all a lie from a scorned deportee based on a recent incident that happened in jamaica.
12-y-o traumatised by airport body search
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110217/lead/lead4.html
The Airports Authority of Jamaica is investigating a mother’s claim that her 12-year-old daughter’s privacy was violated at Kingston-located Norman Manley International Airport’s security checkpoint.
The mother, who The Gleaner has chosen not to name to protect her daughter’s identity, filed a complaint with the Airports Authority, noting that a female security officer asked the child to remove her pants and underwear following an upper-body pat-down search.
Every Jamaican came down on the airport for that, we didnt cover up and try to make excuse like u all
I believe her 100% and am in total agreement with Ms. Myrie of Jamaica and the steps that she has taken with this. I never trusted the Bajans they are a bunch of deceitful people and they hate other people of other Caribbean Countries. I said some years ago we should boycott these people and their products but no one listens, hopefully this time around it will be different because as for me that’s it! no more Bajan products in my Home. I am sick and tired of these people for their constant and inhumane treatment of our people of the Caribbean. I want this woman fired! the Government and people of Barbados can continue to take the heat for her. I am writing to the US congress about moving this embassy else where, in a more humane environment, America always talking about Human Rights and Democracy well it’s right in their backyard all these foolishness happens. Just under a couple of years ago I wrote a sterning letter to Prime Minister Gonsalves and Thompson about the treatment of the Guyanese and other Caribbean brothers and sisters and though not dealt with fully the matter was given priority and the initial stance that they took with deporting individuals was different. I say all of this to say from personal experience with these people you have to take the fight to them by mounting a serious publicity campaign until you get some Justice. A lot of things are happening to people in the Caribbean but as usual they are afraid to speak because of fear of retribution but I tell you one of these days the people will revolt and there will be no quieting down from them especially the women of this region…enough is enough. I am not going to rest until that lady gets what coming to her, because I know the pain and emotional scars with being violated! I am so mad at these people and they want me to support Caribbean Integration and CCJ huh? well they better do better because certainly they won’t have my vote on the CI and the CCJ and I am dead serious.
I would like if you can copy and paste everyone of these comment, print them out and send them to the American embassy, so they can understand, the people in the rest of the Caribbean island are tired and frustrated with bajan raciest, prejudice, verbal, attitude behavior, visiting their country.
I dont think anyone will make up a story like that. There has to be some truth to it.
Just traveled through Barbados over Christmas, and the treatment was horrid. I believe this story.
They treat everyone as a suspect over there who isn’t white or holding a none us pass port… Look they even trying get some islands to register for a bajan visa if they want to get a us visa.. Wish the us embassy would branch out to another island like stlucia or Dominica.. Bajans ungrateful They rack in millions from the neighboring islanders who fly and book hotel rooms over there to visit the us embassy. They don’t deserve our money if thry want to treat ppl like cr*p
As a UWI (Mona) student in the 1980’s I used to hear of the crude and crass behaviour of the Bajan students toward Jamaican law students from friends returning from Cave Hill. It is sad that they still feel a compulsion to mistreat and persecute us Jamaicans. To hell with them!! Time to give then back some of their own medicine by boycotting everything Bajan. They think dem light skin is superior!! Uncle Toms!!
Bajans mostly dark so dark they bluish black. They hate their own brown skined islander brothers.. Let’s see how they like it if we all bypassed their products and shores.
bajans are quite confused about who they are. They would not talk about mother africa but rather, mother england and u.s.a . These folks are ashamed of their caribbean roots. Meet the Bajan in the U.S A and you will hear an Afro-american accent but not a carribean one. This is also true of the Bahamians….both have total disdain and disrespect for Jamaicans. But, jealousy and hate are not not a positive human traits…so let them stifle in their own stench. Those in New York city will
be talking with a Jamaican accent or run the risk of being Bajan .
Bajan are selfish, rude and just HATE foreigners to come into their country, i do not know why they are even a part of the so called CARICOM with their nasty attitude. Thats why i was so surprised when the Roosevelt Skerrit addressed his country talking about equal treatment for foreign workers including Bajans and the Bajan people treat foreigners so nastily.
As far as it sound to many people have had bad experinces,Like the saying goes where there is smoke there must be fire.
bajans and trini always feel they superior to other caribean nationals. i tend to stay away from those people as much as i can. cant stand them at all
I thought Bajans had finish with that nonsense oui! Since in the 70’s i travelled with a “light skin” family as a student on the Federal Palm or Maple. Those bajans asking me if I was those people maid oui! Eben look it! Those people need another round of black power man!!!
My experience with Barbadian immigration officers is also disgusting. I am from Ethiopia (Africa). I work for an international organization based in Washington DC and travel frequently to the OECS countries for business. Unfortunately, I pass through the Barbadian international airport, where I get the worst treatment from immigration officers. They always profile me (because I am black and I am from Africa), and isolate me from my white colleagues. They either take me for further questioning or search my bags. My colleagues always feel so sorry for me. I have travelled a lot to other countries, including to Europe and North America, but I have never been mistreated like in Barbados. It is unfortunate that the Barbadians act such arrogantly, instead of being polite and hospitable as a tourist destination. Of course, based on my experience so far I would never choose Barbados as a destination for my vacation and would advice others not to go there.
Barbados is the worse place to pass through, the immigration office, they all are unprofessional, and what kind of investigation they went through to investigate the allegation and dismiss as false, without even talking to the woman, Ms. Myrie . Bajan are thieve, I flew from NY to Barbados, I was transiting to liat, and when I get home half of my luggage was gone from my suitcase. Bajan authorities need to go back to study what is the meaning of investigation, how can you investigate one side of a story, and on the other side you are saying the lady are a liar without you even speaking to her… mann you guys are dummmmmmmmmm.
I believe the lady. I lived in bados as a cavehill student. I went home for three days in 2009 semester break, on my return i was carrying a hand of fig and a dasheen for me to make a braf. While passing through customs the lady asked if i had anyting to declare, i said no, i only had a hand of bananas a a dasheen which i was carrying in a black plastic bag, she grabbed it from my hand and threw it at the back of the counter as if to avoid other customs officers from seeing, i ask her to give it to me so i can dispose of it in her presence and to satisfy myself that it was disposed of; she informed me that they have their own way of disposing of things; anyway, the person who was supposed to pick me up was leaving work at 5 and i had come in at 2.30 so i lingered in the airport until my pickup come. eh eh, just at about ten past five, my dear customs officer getting off from work, well clad with my black plastic bag in her hand (fig and dasheen inside); i could not be more stunned, i walked up to close to her, so as to send the message that i had seen her and what she was carrying without uttering a word to her. I then proceeded the next day to write a letter to the chief of customs with my complaint, to date, i have not received a word of acknowledgment of my complaint much less a phone call……… those dam bagans are thieves, plain and proper and they wicked, we should all boycott babados, they only favour people with white colour
hhhhmmmm i agree,,, wish we could boycott dem but is dere we have to go for visa,,,, ask anti-hate he have been there numerous times,,,,, for the visa
I know this happen to people all the time. When my friend travels to Barbados on his antigua passport they give him hells. When he uses his American passport they treat him like a king
Not true I was travelling to NY via Barbados with my family and relatives, we all had US passports, some were American born, and we were treated terribly simply because one member already had a boarding pass. All she asked as why couldn’t she leave the airport, they could just take the boarding pass. Lord it was like she committed a crime. She was told she had to spend the whole day at the airport, how American children are rude and should be taught a lesson. We were held there for three hours, while our family waited outside. It was not until a police officer said he knew our family member and brought him inside that they let us go. We were a group of 14, all held hostage by an arrogant airport employee. I believe the woman. I resided in Barbados for some time, and most of them are everything people say about them. Thank God the nice ones make up for the nasty ones.
I have been in Barbados a few times, and as a Dominican , I must say My experiences were good, However, I have seen the officers embasased and illtreat our fellow Guyanese friends.
Don’t know if this is true or not, but I have seen first hand the treatment given to other CARICOM nationals in particular Guyanese by the Immigration officers in Barbados and it is not pretty.
A few years ago I was traveling with a group od Dominicans South, through Barbados and we left standed as a result of the airline overbookings from Grantly Adams.
I will only say this much, if we were a bunch of timid people we would have all been put in jail that day. We were treated so badly that we had to gang up on the officials there to get some humane treatment.
On the other hand they bend over bacwards to please the “whites”.
By the way they will never admit that their officers mistreated the lady and an appology will never be given.
Years ago, traveling from the USA to Trinidad via Barbados for Carnival, I vividly remember getting through customs & immigration with no hassle as I was in posession of a US passport. Unfortunately though, some members of the group that I travelled with, had their Trinidad, Panama, Dominica and St. Lucian passports and did not get the same treatment. We almost missed our connecting flight.
Barbadians seem to favor people of fairer complexion. So be it.
well who barbados officials fooling, i have been there three times and the immigration officers are horrible to caribbean people, until you show the american passport,
Why don’t they bring her back to Barbados and let her identify the Custom Officers who mistreated her. She may or not succeed but that is the only way I see this matter being solved.
Excelent idea, but I have a gut feeling that they know who the officer is and they will make sure she is not around.