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Sentence for illegal Bangladesh Nationals unusually harsh

Feb 01, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

It appears as if visitors to our shores from Bangladesh are being treated unfairly compared to others. Your news item, “Bangladesh Nationals jailed for illegal entry” (Jan. 20) is a case in point.
The KN article on 09-02-19 states that “Chinese trio gets two months for illegal entry – allegedly fled murder charge abroad”. The Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan sentenced the men to two months in prison for the offence of illegal entry and they are to be escorted to the nearest port of exit at the conclusion of their sentence.
In another KN article titled, “Six Haitians appear in court on immigration charges” (21-11-19), the Haitians overstayed their permitted time, and “all six defendants to pay $40,000 fine or, in default, serve three weeks’ imprisonment. After paying the fine or spending the time, the defendants will be deported to Haiti.” Similarly, another article, “Seven Haitians fined for illegal exit” (14-01-20) states that the Haitians were in Guyana illegally, and Acting Chief Magistrate Marcus fined each of the defendants the sum of $30,000 or in default 40 days imprisonment.
The sentence for the illegal Bangladeshis, however, is remarkably different. The news report stated that the Bangladeshis were jailed because they failed to report to an immigration officer upon landing in Guyana at Springlands – and that they were heading to Brazil. Chief Magistrate McLennan then sentenced the defendants to three months imprisonment and ordered that upon serving the time, they are to be deported to the nearest port of exit. There was no opportunity for a fine; there was a straight sentence and then sent to jail for three months.
This sentence seems unusually harsh.
I suggest that religious bodies (Hindus, Muslims, Christians) reach out to these hapless souls who will be languishing in jail for 3 months – unable to communicate because of language difficulties, and being unfamiliar with the culture and food of Guyana.

Yours truly,
Dr. Devanand Bhagwan

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