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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell is pictured with OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza during their meeting on Monday. The Secretary General assured the Minister that he did not intend for his prior pronouncements on the new immigration policy, which had recently appeared in regional news media, to be construed as judgement on the new Bahamian policy.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Frederick Mitchell arrived in Washington D.C. on Sunday for a series of meetings at the Organization of American States (OAS) on December 15-16, 2014, to discuss the new immigration policy of The Bahamas and address concerns which might be emanating from the international community.
The Foreign Minister began his series of meetings with a briefing of the Caucus of CARICOM Ambassadors in Washington DC on the promulgation of the new immigration policy of The Bahamas. The Minister took the opportunity to specifically refute the allegations made by Attorney Fred Smith that there was "institutional terrorism," "ethnic cleansing" and "Auschwitz in The Bahamas" and advised that these are very serious allegations, absurd and simply untrue. The Minister also underscored the difference between the new immigration policies of The Bahamas and those of other countries of the region which had concerned CARICOM in the past.
Minister Mitchell advised the Caucus of the near universal support in country for the new immigration efforts and that these efforts would continue in a humane manner, but the Government would not relent from the position that everyone who lives in The Bahamas must show that they have a right to live and work in the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell is pictured with members of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights following their meeting at the OAS on Monday. Pictured from left are: Mario Lopez-Garelli, IACHR Human Rights Specialist; His Excellency Dr. Eugene Newry, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States; Minister Mitchell; Elizabeth Abi-Mershed, Assistant Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR); His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming, Bahamas Ambassador to the United Nations and the OAS; Leah Chavla, IACHR Human Rights Specialist; and Alvaro Botero Navarro, IACHR Human Rights Specialist.
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Minister Mitchell then met with Elizabeth Abi-Mershed, Assistant Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR); Mario Lopez-Garelli, IACHR Human Rights Specialist; Alvaro Botero Navarro, IACHR Human Rights Specialist; and Leah Chavla, IACHR Human Rights Specialist.
He explained the new administrative measures on immigration and the intent of the immigration policy. Minister Mitchell also underscored the fact that the new reforms redound to the benefit of migrants as they mandate migrants who are eligible for application for citizenship attain the documentation necessary for such application. The Minister and Commission engaged in a useful exchange of views on migration issues.
Minister Mitchell also extended welcome to the OAS and the Inter American Human Rights Commission at any time to visit the Carmichael Road detention facilities and further examine the immigration practices of The Bahamas.
Minister Mitchell ended his meetings on Monday with Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin of the OAS. The Secretary General assured the Minister that he did not intend for his prior pronouncements on the new immigration policy, which had recently appeared in regional news media, to be construed as judgement on the new Bahamian policy. He expressed his pleasure that the Minister would be addressing the Permanent Council of the Organization on the new policy and commended the Minister's willingness to address any potential concerns.
On Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock, Minister Mitchell met with Mr. Stephen Griner, OAS Civil Identity Project Manager, and Ms. Rebeca Omana Penaloza, OAS Civil Identity Program, after which he delivered a major address to the Permanent Council of the OAS. The Permanent Council is comprised of the Ambassadors of all 34 Member States of the Western Hemisphere.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell with members Caucus of CARICOM Ambassadors on the steps of the Organization of American States (OAS) building following their meeting on Monday.
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