The United Nations headquarters in New York.
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE government’s decision to resume deportation of undocumented migrants was “painstaking”, but came only after careful analysis at a time deemed appropriately humane and necessary, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While it defended the Minnis administration’s handling of the immigration situation in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, the ministry doubled down on the government’s unwavering position saying any person found in violation of the Bahamas’ Immigration Act will be dealt with according to statute laws. While pushing back against international scrutiny and criticism levelled at the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this country was one that “strictly” adhered to the rule of law, both locally and internationally.
This especially pertained to the human rights of every man, woman and child on Bahamian territory, the ministry said in a statement over the weekend.
The statement further reinforced the position of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and the Department of Immigration on how those caught breaking immigration laws will be handled.
Last week, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on the Bahamas to halt deportations of Haitians and other undocumented migrants as it insisted there had been no individual assessments and due process guarantees – entitlements under international law.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said deportations had been carried out consistent with international standards, specifically human rights norms.
“The ministry wishes to inform that pre, during and post-Hurricane Dorian, the Bahamas government relaxed its immigration deportation and repatriation policies and procedures to ensure the safety, security and well being of all persons, irrespective of nationality, within its borders,” the statement issued on Saturday read.
“During the search and rescue phase of the humanitarian efforts, all displaced persons were carefully accommodated in safe abode, whether with family members or an authorised shelter, irrespective of their immigration status.
“All were accommodated at international standards, inclusive of three hot nourishing meals per day, bottled drinking water, clothing and medical attention by government board certified physicians, inclusive of free psychological evaluations afforded to any person thought to be affected by the trauma of Hurricane Dorian.
“Once the urgent search and rescue phase had passed and a semblance of normalcy returned to the country, the Bahamas government made the painstaking, conscientious, but necessary, decision to resume the implementation of its immigration laws.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued: “All illegal migrants, irrespective of their origin, removed from the Bahamas, were done so in compliance with the statute laws of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, in accordance with the Immigration Act, consistent with the international standards of the rule of law and in compliance with international human rights norms and standards.
“The government of the Bahamas wishes to assure that there was adherence to all due process; and the requisite procedures for proper documentation via captured biometrics were followed to determine every individual’s constitutional right to reside lawfully in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Persons found wanting and in violation of the Immigration Act were lawfully removed, in accordance with the requisite court orders.”
Last week, the UN body also said that while Bahamian authorities had initially said immigration enforcement activities would be suspended in the affected islands, this position was publicly reversed at the end of September, when they announced that all migrants without valid documents would be apprehended and deported.
This statement is correct, the ministry said, adding the Bahamas resumed lawful implementation of its laws after careful analysis, at a time when it was deemed appropriately humane and necessary to do so.
“Contrary to what has been alleged by OHCHR, the government has received no reports of ‘people leaving temporary shelters for fear of arrest and/or persons failing to avail themselves of necessary humanitarian services or fleeing into hiding.’”
Last Thursday, Attorney General Carl Bethel told The Nassau Guardian that the UN body’s position was “unfortunate” as it had applied standards to small countries like the Bahamas that were not enforced in their own countries.
“It is unfortunate sometimes that international organisations – with all respect – apply standards to little countries like the Bahamas that they do not enforce in their own countries,” he told The Nassau Guardian.
Mr Bethel added, “How would they know that this is not happening? Our immigration officers do not deport persons willy-nilly. In fact, the Immigration Department does not have the power to deport.
“It is the court that deports.”
The Attorney General said the UN should not “prejudge an issue based on something that they would’ve heard…from some social activist group”.
Comments
BMW 4 years, 6 months ago
Strictly adhered to the rule of law, clearly he does not get out and around in this place, suprised he did not choke on those words.LOL
joeblow 4 years, 6 months ago
People may have a 'right' to emigrate, but countries have a right to say NO to their immigration!!
Godson 4 years, 6 months ago
The highfalutin, inexperienced persons in that global body (UN) are out to displace and disenfranchise us (Bahamians) of the one Country we love (The Bahamas).
Why don't they propose to President Donald Trump ?
STOP BULLYING THIS SMALL COUNTRY!!!
SP 4 years, 6 months ago
Haitians and others now dominate blue-collar jobs while Bahamians have been regulated to soup kitchens begging for food. Entire work crews made up solely of Haitians can be seen all over the Island. I have never seen a Haitian or Filipino in a soup kitchen line!
In addition to seriously cracking down on all illegals in the country, we need to reverse the stupidity of indefinitely issuing work permits to individuals which encourages them to use anchor babies to apply for status.
Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie totally betrayed the peoples' trust. They are 100% responsible for this Haitian invasion. We now have to get control of this problem and put systems in place to begin reversing the damage.
The Bahamas needs to take a page from the Dominican Republic and copy their formula for resolving their Haitian invasion. It may seem extream, however, Haitians totally refuse to abide by immigration laws unless under force to do so.
We must finally begin doing what is best for The Bahamas and Bahamians before Haitians, Filipinos, and others put more Bahamians out of work and into the soup kitchen lines.
joeblow 4 years, 6 months ago
... at least Filipinos are here LEGALLY, are better educated, better socialized and don't breed like flies, and when intermingled with, they improve the gene pool!!
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 6 months ago
Enforcing our immigration laws has absolutely nothing to do with improving our gene pool. It has everything to do with preserving our heritage, culture, standard of living and overall quality of life. The elite globalists at the UN who are literally bullying our small nation should be ashamed of themselves. They know full well that we are a small country with limited land area and very limited financial resources with no possible way of supporting the overwhelming number of illegal aliens who have invaded and continue to invade our nation.
If these elite globalists truly cared about the living conditions of Haitians in Haiti, they would instead be bullying developed countries like the US to provide them with refugee status. But these elite globalists will not do this because they are fearful of offending major countries like the US which provide most of the funding the UN needs to keep them in the luxurious life-style they have grown accustomed to. They get extremely generous diplomatic perks and other benefits for themselves and their families, including housing and schooling allowances, family healthcare and travel benefits, etc., etc.
Rather than bite the hands of the major countries that feed them, these elite globalists at the UN would much rather bully a small nation like ours to make it seem to the rest of the world that they are serving a meaningful purpose or mission. But it's all a load of malarkey on so many different fronts. We, The Bahamas and the Bahamian people, have a fundamental right to protect ours from a most harmful invading force through the enforcement of our immigration laws...and if the elite globalists at the UN don't like it they can just stuff it!
banker 4 years, 6 months ago
You have to stop the Bahamians who are profiting by illegal immigration. That should nip the bud at the root.
My2centz 4 years, 6 months ago
I agree. I can't co-sign Phillipinos "improving" our gene pool. But they are not nearly as problematic as Haitians, no other nationality in Bahamas is.
jamaicaproud 4 years, 6 months ago
Improve the gene pool with Filipinos. Bumbo claa**
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 6 months ago
@jamaicaproud: You've been put on the "persona non grata stop list" by our immigration department. And if you're already in the Bahamas and ever leave, well, let's just say good luck trying to get back in. LMAO
jamaicaproud 4 years, 6 months ago
LOL No bossy. Jamaica too sweet. Land that I love. Bahamas is a nice place, no lie. However you all have one thing common with Jamaicans. That is being distracted by peripheral issues while Politicians loot and steal. That's all I am saying.
Of course immigration in the Bahamas is an issue, however, Politicians have riled up the populace as if it the only problem. If every Haitian, Jamaican or "gene pool improver' were deported today, you will still have issues. Same as in my country.
Structure, order, transparency, every other thing is a distraction.
Kalikgold 4 years, 6 months ago
blood claaad
Ashinnabash 4 years, 6 months ago
HOW CAN FILIPINOS IMPROVE OUR GENE POOL SIR? WHERE THAT COME FROM? AND WHO SAYS FILIPINOS HERE LEGALLY? THIS IS THE MENTALITY YOU SEE WHITE SO IT MUST BE RITE RITE?
SP 4 years, 6 months ago
Firstly, you have a color issue! What gives you the idea that Filipinos are all here LEGALLY? I know for a fact that hundreds if not thousands of Filipinos are here working illegally! AND, Filipinos that are here legally have a habit of encouraging and helping other family members to come here to work illegally the same as Haitians do. The result is we actually have whole Filipino families complete with cousins, aunts, and uncles working here, many illegally!
Why the hell do we need university graduate Filipino gardeners, maids and space cleaners?
Secondly, If The Bahamas would simply adapt and apply the immigration laws of a given countries citizens, we wouldn't have any immigration issues. For example, the Haitian constitution forbids ANYONE from obtaining Haitian citizenship unless they are of Haitian lineage. We need to return the favor! And the Philippians will not grant a work permit under any circumstances for employment, a Filipino can remotely do. Again, we need to return the favor!!
The Bahamas immigration laws are way past archaic, illogical, and full of loopholes for Haitian nationalist like Fred Smith, Louby Georges, and others to exploit.
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 6 months ago
The political careers of Hubert Minnis, Darren Henfield, Elsworth Johnson, Frankie Campbell and Carl Bethel will speedily come to an end if they continue providing only lip service to our country's illegal alien problem. The vast majority of Bahamians want to see evidence of sustained round ups and deportations, with regular monthly reporting of the actual numbers deported. In addition to reporting the total number deported each month, the government should also report the total number rounded up for the month as well as the the total number of new arrivals intercepted and apprehended at sea by the RBDF. All of this information should be published monthly in The Tribune and the Nassau Guardian so that we, the Bahamian people, know that our government is actually enforcing our immigration laws and not just giving us the kind of lip service we have been receiving for decades. And Turnquest should be able show in our country's national budgets and financial statements the taxpayers' funds annually set aside and annual spent on rounding up, intercepting and deporting illegal aliens.
BahamaPundit 4 years, 6 months ago
My question is can the world deport the United Nations? Please. The UN is just a puppet of China and Globalists to infiltrate and grease failed third world countries by making their corrupt leaders feel important.
John 4 years, 6 months ago
Hubert Minnis, Marvin Dames and Anthony Ferguson must have the same resolve when it comes to fighting crime in this country and stopping the wholesale slaughter of young men. The country is about to have another year of triple digit murders and the only plan Marvin Dames and Anthony Ferguson seem to have is the mass abuse of government and police resources in what is no less than a definite attempt to shut down the vendors on Potters Cay. There are places like Pinewood and Bain Town that have had dozens of shootings since the killings on Potters Cay and they have less than half the police presence. Is Marvin Dames expecting a mass invasion and attack be gangs and criminals or is the huge police presence with high powered weapons an attempt that intimidate vendors and visitors alike and discourage them from going to Potters Cay? In Jamaica they declared a state of emergency and launched an all out manhunt for known criminals and gang leaders. As the heat on them intensified some of these gang leaders and persons wanted for high crimes Attempted to flee the island to places like Haiti and Dominica, where they were met by rival gangs and some were apparently executed. Jamaica officials have pledged not to let up until gang leaders are flushed out and sent to jail or forced to flee. Is it time for the police in New Providence to go after gang leaders and get them off the streets or is ok for the country to continue to record triple digit murder year after year? And many are young men, some of school age who don’t really know what they are being killed for.
TalRussell 4 years, 6 months ago
Shocking posts ma comrades even when faced hundreds being pressured to voluntarily make their quick exit themselves from colony or have been forcibly loaded aboard planes and ships be deported to Haiti, including documented cases individuals of Haitian descent who were actually born in the Colony of Out Islands, yes, no .... labour hard and long but not lightly that is unless you'd be okay when your government's officials come arrest for deportation the spouses, cousins, parents, grand parents and grandchildren, brothers and sisters of yours .... there is no greater grief than that experienced over deportation of a dear family member ....
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 6 months ago
The grief that's much greater is the young Bahamian mother who can't get timely medical treatment for her sick child at the hospital or clinic because these healthcare facilities are now always choc-a-bloc full of illegal aliens or out of the medication needed. This same young Bahamian mother also has to contend with the fact that her child is not receiving a proper education because our public education system is overwhelmed by the children of illegal aliens. Grieve as you may Tal, but the vast majority of Bahamians know the much greater grief because they are now having to live with it day in and day out because of our government's failure to vigorously enforce our immigration laws on a sustained basis.
My2centz 4 years, 6 months ago
The Bahamas is not a birthright citizenship country! And it really doesnt say much for Bahamians, especially legislators, that a group of uneducated illegals can outsmart so many us into believing this is the law. The constitution is clear who is an automatic citizen: and the process to obtain citizenship also clear.
The greatest grief will be a legal Haitian majority in a few short years...just look at Haiti for reference. Immigration reform is needed now. The Bahamas needs to open Its doors to the wider world, especially if it continues to illegally enforce birthright citizenship. Most of the homegrown Haitians with Bahamian passports, are no more loyal or beneficial to Bahamas than those born in Haiti. Forcing the hardships associated with sustaining Haitians, who in turn sustain Haiti, is not fair to poor Bahamians. Someone needs to think about them for a change.
truetruebahamian 4 years, 6 months ago
Our gene pool requires educated and non politically or nationiolistically people. I suggest more educated Indians, Europeans, Southeast Asians and Indigenous central and South Americans. Perhaps even Scots, Irish, Canadians, Aussies and Russians
Future 4 years, 6 months ago
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN HOW FINE THOSE FILIPINO WOMEN ARE?????
TalRussell 4 years, 6 months ago
Ma Comrade Future, best you check out the refined sugary synergy of Miss univers Haïti 2019 : Gabriela Clesca Vallejo est elle Haïtienne ou pas, yes, no .... at least two Miss Bahamaland's, comes mind - who came into this world with Haitian lines in they DNA ....
Ton_Heijnmans 4 years, 6 months ago
They're not many species living on Planet Earth.
Capable, of screwing their õwn zelf.
Impregnation, using its own tongue?
Dogs do that. Or, at least, they try to.
Like youghal do.
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