'Below is a' very important decision by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IAHCR), an autonomous branch of the Organization of American States (OAS). The IAHCR has granted the request of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association for a hearing on the government's new immigration enforcement policy, launched November 1, 2014.

His evidence will include several specific instances of human rights abuses under the new policy. Attached is the commission's decision to grant the hearing, as well as the grounds for request, filed on January 6, 2015.

This decision is the second major victory for opponents of the Bahamas government's current method of carrying out its immigration responsibilities. Last week, a request for precautionary measures was issued by the IAHCR over conditions at the Carmichael Road Detention Center (to follow).

For comments, please contact Fred Smith, QC: 1 (242) 727 5191 fsmith@callenders.net

Click HERE to view letter on: Thematic Hearing Request on Migratory Policies and Discrimination Against Persons of Haitian Descent in The Bahamas

Click HERE to view response to the above mentioned letter