In response to your story 'Blacklisted, again!' published on Sunday, July 12:

Because the Governor General, a representative of the Queen of England, is the Head of State in Jamaica, in a clear reality, Jamaicans should not require a visa in order to travel to the United Kingdom, but such a condition exists. The UK government justifies such a move on our numerous immigration and crime and violence problems. In a new development, and one which I considered a low blow to all Jamaicans, Jamaica has failed the new visa waiver test and we are now required to obtain a direct air transit visa (DATV) in order to connect to flights through the UK to other or onward destinations.

Potential risk

The British High Commission in Jamaica justifies such a move on the fact that Jamaicans are considered a potential risk in terms of illegal immigration and crime and security. There is an old saying, 'the good suffers with the bad'. As a traveller, who has accessed many borders and have witnessed some of the bad treatment meted out to many Jamaican travellers, I am of the opinion that, if we as a people did not create the problems for ourselves, then the UK, USA and some CARICOM member states would not have treated us in such a manner.

Every country has a legal right to secure its border and to protect the welfare and safety of its citizens. Therefore, I can relate to such a move by those countries, although the majority of Jamaicans are law-abiding citizens and decent, good-intention travellers.

I am, etc.,

Charlie Brown

charliebrown1004@hotmail.con

St Thomas