Buchanan calls for parliamentary scrutiny of TCN agreement and stronger human rights protections

Opposition Spokesperson on Youth and Human Rights, Isat Buchanan MP, is calling for greater parliamentary scrutiny of the Government’s Third Country Nationals (TCN) agreement with the United States and renewed attention to human rights protections in Jamaica.

During his Sectoral Debate presentation, Buchanan rejected suggestions that Jamaica does not face significant human rights challenges, pointing to concerns surrounding access to justice, conditions of detention, police accountability and constitutional protections. “A mature democracy does not deny problems. It confronts them honestly and works to solve them,” Buchanan said.

The Opposition Spokesperson also raised concerns about the recently signed TCN arrangement, under which Jamaica could receive non-Jamaican nationals being removed from the United States while they transit to other destinations.

While acknowledging Government assurances regarding security screening and safeguards, Buchanan argued that important questions remain unanswered and deserve full parliamentary examination. “This is a significant policy decision with implications for human rights, immigration policy, asylum procedures and constitutional protections. It should not be settled by memorandum alone,” he said.

Buchanan noted that Jamaica’s asylum and refugee framework remains underdeveloped and questioned whether existing systems are adequately prepared to manage the responsibilities that may arise under the arrangement.

He referenced the recent arrival of Haitian nationals in Portland as evidence that Jamaica must strengthen its approach to migration, refugee protection and due process.

The Opposition Spokesperson called on the Government to bring the agreement and its operational guidelines before Parliament for detailed review and public accountability. “On matters involving liberty, human rights and constitutional rights, transparency and scrutiny are not obstacles. They are obligations,” Buchanan said.