Statement On Recently Concluded Mission To The Bahamas

Discussions around development cooperation, the environment, migration, disaster preparedness and response, the economy and recovery from COVID-19 were positive.

The mission ended after tours of the Carmichael Road Detention Centre on Friday and The Farm, Abaco today. The RC thanks the Government for its invitation to view these locations and welcomed the frank, positive, transparent and constructive dialogues around the issues. The RC recognizes the ongoing challenges associated with irregular migration, and the health, sanitation and safety vulnerabilities linked with erecting informal buildings – challenges not unique to The Bahamas. The RC also acknowledges the positive attempts of the Government to treat these sensitive issues with due care and dignity.

Recognizing the observations made by United Nations’ bodies in recent months, Dr Conille commits the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and its country team to support and work alongside the Government of the Bahamas, and partners, to help ensure that all processes to regularize migration as well as housing and building codes, maintain the health and dignity of all populations, are in keeping with Bahamian law, meet international best practice, recognize the human rights of all persons and uphold Bahamas’ human rights commitments.

The RC commends the Government for its management of ‘back-to-back crises,’ – Category 5 Hurricane Dorian and the global COVID-19 pandemic. The RC also thanks the Government for its engagement and support in the development of a new business plan for UN cooperation in the Bahamas. In this regard, consultations, led by the UN, will continue over the coming weeks among a wide cross-section of Bahamian stakeholders.

The Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the people and Government of The Bahamas the assurance of its highest consideration.

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