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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
OAS Photo
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The
Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) received
today during a special meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Immigration of The Bahamas, Frederick Mitchell, who explained to member
states the details of the new immigration policy adopted by the
government of his country last November.
(Audio) Fred Mitchell briefs the OAS Permanent Council on Bahamas Immigration
(Video) Hon. Fred Mitchell's Statement to OAS Permanent Council on Bahamas Immigration
(Transcript) Hon. Fred Mitchell's Statement to OAS Permanent Council on Bahamas Immigration
In his introduction to the Council’s meeting, the OAS Assistant
Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, said The Bahamas "is a valuable member
of the OAS and plays a critical role in the discussions of major issues
on the hemispheric agenda," and that the visit of Minister Mitchell to
the OAS is important as a way to "open up a broader and deeper
discussion on the issue of migration based on the work the Organization
is already doing."
Ambassador Ramdin also said that the institution is willing to
work with the Caribbean country on what the government requires. "We
understand the concerns and the need to clarify some of the issues that
have been raised after the announcement of changes in migration
policies," he said, "and the OAS will always be a channel through which
many of these issues can be addressed."
In his speech, Foreign Minister Mitchell highlighted first the
recognition and reputation of his country as a destination for investors
and tourists. “Thousands of business people and non-Bahamian residents
live in our country because it has a stellar reputation as a safe place
for investment and wealth management: a well regulated, transparent
jurisdiction, what we know however is that we must be eternally vigilant
in protecting our reputation: correcting untruths and misperceptions,”
he said. In this regard, he said that his presence today at the OAS
"seeks to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of the rule of law,
due process, the international treaties on migration and all the
instruments to which we adhere in the inter-American system.”
In this context, Minister Mitchell explained the details of the
publication of two administrative measures that went into effect last
November 1
in his country, concerning work permits for non-citizens of the
Bahamas. "Work permit applications would not be accepted for those
people who did not have legal status in The Bahamas without them first
being certified as being seen by one of our consular officers in their
home country or in the nearest office to their home country,” he said.
The legislation also requires that non-nationals have a passport of
their nationality to obtain a residence permit.
The presentation included the details of the debates prior to the
adoption of changes in immigration policy including the internal
discussions and consultations with international organizations and the
Haitian government to ensure that nationals of that country could meet
the demands stipulated under the new policy. The Minister of The Bahamas
emphasized the transparency of measures and actions of government
agencies responsible for monitoring and enforcing immigration laws. ”The
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is invited, along with the
Organization of American States to come at any time and inspect our
procedures and facilities and see whether what we are saying is
correct," he said.
In explaining the reasons that led to the adoption of immigration
measures, the Caribbean diplomat said the new policies seek to stop
illegal immigration. "Unfortunately for many, they chose not at birth to
get the passport of their nationality and live in a kind of no man’s
land until they reach their 18th birthday, the new procedures will mean
that so long as your parents are lawfully in The Bahamas, anyone who is
born in The Bahamas can get a residency permit to work and live in The
Bahamas until such time as their citizenship applications are
determined, this puts all in that class in a better position,” he said.
“This policy, therefore, is not to revoke citizenship to any person, nor
are anyone's rights being eliminated 'ex post facto'. It seeks to
ensure that the rights of people are being protected," he insisted.
The Bahamian politician also referred to the financial and social
consequences of irregular migration in the region, and stressed that
countries must work together to solve the deeper problems related to
this topic, including poverty, underdevelopment and political
instability. “The Bahamas comes today to set the record straight and we
trust that we have disabused all countries of the notion that anything
untoward is happening with the issues of migrants; we will continue to
manage the problem consistent with our international obligations and
with our laws.”
The Minister said that contemporary migration is "a complex
phenomenon" and that its regulation "involves considering the interests
and peculiarities of the countries of origin and destination." In that
context, he said that the OAS has a key role to play in helping member
states to promulgate policies that enhance the natural synergies between
migration and development, diminishing excess from regular and
irregular migration that place a drag on countries’ development.” “All
of the OAS pillars are relevant to meeting the negative challenges
associated with hemispheric migration, however assistance in the areas
of democracy, human rights and citizen security all help states continue
to work in a holistic manner to resolve issues that might spur
migration beyond the search for job opportunity or educational
advancement prospects,” he concluded.
At the meeting, which was chaired by the Permanent Representative
of Guyana to the OAS, Ambassador Bayney R. Karran, the representatives
of Haiti, Jamaica and St. Lucia also took the floor.
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