MINISTER RESPONDS TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

October 22, 2004

The following statement was issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Fred Mitchell today, regarding recent comments made by Amnesty International concerning the Bahamas Detention Centre for illegal immigrants in Nassau.

"The reports of alleged abuse, made by Amnesty International about our detention centre, are taken seriously by the Government of The Bahamas.  From what we have heard, the reports are probably exaggerated, but we have ordered an immediate investigation.  Every member of the Government is aware of and sensitive to the treaties and international conventions and obligations on human rights to which the country subscribes.  We practice basic human decency. If there are any reports of abuse which turn out to be correct, we will seek to ensure that those abuses are stopped and that they will not be repeated. We have no interest in hiding anything."