Windrush Scandal And Mass Deportations

Many are still questioning the move by the UK Government to go ahead with mass deportations to Jamaica on Tuesday, over a year after the Windrush scandal had unfolded.

UK activists have been lobbying for the lawmakers to delay this practice until a report was published. However, Tuesday’s charter flight to Jamaica was an indication that the UK government did not intend to follow this principle.

A year ago, then UK Prime Minister Theresa May sat with 12 Caribbean leaders and made an apology. Now, given the apology by the government, the acceptance by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, along with plans to compensate those affected, one would have believed that there would have been no further deportations to other Caribbean countries, specifically Jamaica.

However, those promises of justice, fairness and equality appear to have been empty promises, as campaigners criticise the deportation flight to Jamaica arguing that some of the nationals had no ties with Jamaica and had been convicted of offenses when they were young.

But, what unfolded on Tuesday despite a court ruling on Monday to stop the charter flight, was a clear message from the UK government that the deportations would not be stopped that easily. Meanwhile, the Home Office intends to pursue the removal of those who were prevented from boarding the flight due to a legal challenge.

KHADIJAH THOMAS