Bahamas to push migration issues at UN

The Nassau Guardian

Bahamas to push migration issues at UN

A Bahamian delegation left yesterday for the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York where the group will discuss immigration issues, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell said yesterday.

Mitchell said the delegation planned to speak with the UN’s International Organization for Migration and the Human Rights Commission about the challenges The Bahamas faces with migration.

“The UNHCR is responsible for the resettlement of migrants who come to this country, who are adjudged to have asylum status,” Mitchell said at a press conference at the diplomatic lounge at Lynden Pindling International Airport.

“We hope to make the case publicly of The Bahamas’ continued problem with this issue, the Cuban issue on the one hand, the Haitian issue on the other hand, and the need for us to employ international resources to help resolve the problem.

“Secondly, [we will mention] our concern about the procedures with UNHCR and the fact that there is too much delay in making sure that these claims are adjudicated on a timely basis.”

Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin is part of the group which left yesterday. She will sign on to the UN’s convention on the rights of persons with disabilities on behalf of the country.

“It’s a very significant and historic time for persons with disabilities in The Bahamas,” Griffin said.

“The Bahamas will be signing on to the United Nations convention and this sets the stage for the upcoming legislation which we expect to put before Parliament very shortly and have passed before the end of the year.

“There will be provisions from the convention of course... the convention actually gives teeth to the legislation. Many countries in the region have signed on and so we’ll be joining them.”

Mitchell said The Bahamas will also have the opportunity to make the case for global governance infrastructure for the regulation and support of the financial services sector, the issues of small island developing states and the adverse effects of climate change.

Prime Minister Perry Christie, who is scheduled to arrive in New York on Friday, will deliver the country’s national statement to the general assembly on Saturday at 3 p.m.

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