Some of the reports have been reported in one of the island’s newspapers by some of the island’s own nationals.

But at a news conference hosted here yesterday by the Barbados Prime Minister, he said his government is against the abuse of power or inappropriate behaviour.

“My Government does not condone abuse of power or inappropriate behaviour on the part of its public officials, and if evidence is produced that any of those empowered to take enforcement action have been excessive in the carrying out of their duties, they will be disciplined appropriately” he said.

He said too that some persons may react negatively to the actions of some enforcement officials, and deem such actions rough treatment.

The Prime Minister further told local and foreign media operatives that in an effort to ensure full transparency and objectivity, the establishing of an independent panel to investigate any complaints in respect of the treatment of Caribbean immigrants by immigration officers or other enforcement agents is being undertaken.

He also remarked that he still finds it hard to understand why the action of providing an amnesty for a large number of CARICOM nationals could generate such “ill-informed commentary and misunderstanding.”