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1Commonwealth of The BahamasPosition Paper for the 2018 ESMOAS Summit of the Americas

Commonwealth of The Bahamas


I. GENERAL STATEMENT

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is honored to be part to this year’s summit for The

Organization of American State (OAS). As part of the great American continent, The Bahamas

identifies itself with its fellow states, and all America’s ideals are The Bahamas as well.

Thankful for the opportunity to participate, The Bahamas looks forward to cooperating with this

year’s states to resolve the issues concerning the American continent, and considers that the

protection and respect of each person’s rights must be the main goal of any government, as stated

by the charter of the OAS in Chapter II, Article 3, Section L.

“The American States proclaim the fundamental rights of the individual without

distinction as to race, nationality, creed, or sex;”

The Bahamas shares these essential nondiscrimination values with the OAS, as it is stated

in the constitution of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Chapter III Section 15.

“… every person in The Bahamas is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of

the individual, that is to say, has the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions,

colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the

public interest, to each and all…”

The Bahamas strongly believes that there should be no room for discrimination in our

hemisphere, therefore, the delegation takes these principles as the foundation of The

Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

With greater liberty comes greater economic development, with this in mind, ensuring

every individual’s human rights and the economic wellness of the state, The Bahamas opens its

door to thousands of travelers year-round. The Bahamas is illustrious for its tourism industry,

bringing many travelers to its majestic islands and mesmerizing landscapes. The Commonwealth

of The Bahamas is proud to say that thanks to Dr. Hubert Minnis and his administration’s plans

on making The Bahamas a leading destination on film making, sporting events and the service

industry, in order to increase the sixty percent of the economic activity comes from tourism.

Therefore, we look to provide and ensure security, democracy and equality for every individual

in the islands.


Throughout history, economy has been facilitated by international free trade agreements,

which had affirmed relationships between states and The Bahamas, that is why our country has

over thirty international agreements. The Bahamas acknowledges the need for cooperation

between the American States to face the complications such as human trafficking, the refugee

crisis, economic instability, tension between states, and the emergence of trade agreements. The

Bahamas is committed and will do its greatest effort to maintain peace, honor and dignity with

all the present states in this summit, as well as strengthen the participation of the Caribbean

states in the OAS.

II. PARTICULAR STATEMENTS

A. Committee: General Committee

Topic A: Migration, Refuges and Asylum

As it is well explained by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human

Rights (OHCHR), the hemisphere faces one of the biggest immigration and human rights

violation problems in recorder history, with the emergence of this phenomenon states are forced

to regulate their laws and requirements on immigration to ensure protection for their people as

well to offer foreigners the opportunity to find a better life within the state, without affecting the

human dignity of any individual. The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is determined to resolve

the immigration problem along with its fellow states.

The current administration of The Bahamas leaded by Dr. Hubert Minnis strongly believes

in legal immigration, this meaning that every individual who aspires to become a Bahamian

resident or citizen shall go through a process where he or she will have to meet with certain

requirements to fully and legally become a member of The Bahamas, this has the purpose of

ensuring the wellbeing of all individuals in the Bahamian islands and increase the internal

security of the nation, believing that having control over the Bahamian borders will lead to a

greater nation for the people.

Along with providing the opportunity of becoming part of the Bahamian community, Dr.

Minnis’ administration seeks to protect and ensure each individual with their human rights, The

Commonwealth of The Bahamas firmly believes on the enforcement of these fundamental rights,

as mentioned before, these principles shape the foundation of The Bahamas, therefore the

4Commonwealth of The BahamasPosition Paper for the 2018 ESMOAS Summit of the Americasdelegation considers them as not only fundamental but as unalienable rights. With that being

stated, the administration is working on nondiscrimination programs and initiatives that dictate

the way law enforcement operates.

Topic B: Protection of Journalists and Freedom of the Press

The constitution of The Bahamas guarantees freedom of press as well as respect for those

who decide to practice it, having in mind that such freedom is indispensable for any free state,

The Bahamian government is focused on ensuring freedom and protecting those who exercise it.

As stated by The Constitution of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas on Chapter III, section

23, subsection 1; and on Chapter III, section 23, subsection 2, part a, indent ii.

“…no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, and for the

purposes of this Article the said freedom includes freedom to hold opinions, to receive and

impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his

correspondence.”

“…for the purposes of protecting the rights, reputations and freedoms of other persons,

preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, maintaining the authority and

independence of the courts, or regulating telephony, telegraphy, posts, wireless broadcasting,

television, public exhibitions or public entertainment…”

According to Freedom House The Bahamas is considered to be one of the freest countries

in the hemisphere on this matter, with two independent national newspapers The Nassau

Guardian and The Tribune, reaching over twenty-five thousand people they lead the country by

providing news for the citizens as well as foreigners; over ten internet providers with no

restrictions on internet service whatsoever, three privately owned television stations who provide

widely available multi-channel cable, and over twenty-five privately owned FM radio stations.

The Bahamas considers freedom of press is crucial to maintain its citizens informed and

connected with the world, therefore, the protection of those who are providing these should be

granted by the state, and in no way should there ever be aggression committed against these

people who are the voice and the ears of the citizens.


The Commonwealth of The Bahamas invites all of the states participating on this year’s

summit, to truly give importance to the protection of those who speak for the people, as well as

to keep them free to express what is best for the community.

B. Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI)

Topic A: Hemisphere Cooperation on Climate Change Initiatives

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas recognizes the importance of the cooperation in the

hemisphere and promote the initiatives of climate change in the country. Climate change is

affecting the whole world therefore its of great concern in this summit. That’s why The

Commonwealth of The Bahamas seeks to resolve problems that the hemisphere is facing on this

issue. With the support of The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

(UNFCCC) which that is based on the rule of law, while guided by the principles of equity,

justice and inclusion, that includes commitments for parties on public engagement, information

and participation that make the standards for climate change decisions making by the different

branches of government clearly high.

The Bahamas is involved delivering solutions for our citizens in the design of new

implementations of policies and projects to consolidate the environmental priorities, the

biodiversity, climate change, water resources and the sustainability in the Americas.

Henceforward, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas are deeply conscious with the Paris

agreement which establishes measures for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

through the mitigation, adaptation and resistance of ecosystems to the effects of global warming.

Topic B: Topic B: Creating Mechanism to Encourage Free and Fair Trade

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas strongly promotes the free trade as a part of an

integral development by each country in the Americas. We are committed in assisting those

associations that are working on new solutions for get out the principal issues on the country in

this topic.


This is an important issue in The Bahamas goal of promoting higher quality of life for all

people within the Organization of American States. Free trade is vital for the development of a

country because the individuals also get benefit of it making possible for them to demand a

variety of products as well as better-quality goods. Besides international trade allows even the

poorest countries to strengthen their entrepreneurial class. That is why The Bahamas promotes

these values throughout the OAS member states, encouraging all importers and exporters to gain

better satisfaction in their work. Moreover, the state is deeply responsible with the agreements on

the World Trade Organization (WTO) and The Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

participating in the meetings for get more advantage of the international themes.

C. Secretariat for Multidimensional Security (SMS)

Topic A: Combating Human Trafficking in the Hemisphere

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas strongly supports the goal of the Organization of

American States of creating a peaceful and secure hemisphere.

The promotion of peace and security will improve the lives of all people within the

Organization of American States. The country of The Bahamas is committed to international

treaties, such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, that

create a framework for international security and cooperation among the nations of the world.

This framework has successfully helped to maintain peace in the hemisphere, but it must be

constantly improved and updated.

The Delegation of The Bahamas believes that the establishment of a permanent joint

intelligence sharing and enforcement framework our hemisphere will help reinforce existing

partnerships and will lead to a safer, more stable American Hemisphere. The utilization of this

partnership to combat human trafficking organizations throughout the hemisphere would serve to

reinforce national sovereignty and bring crucial stability to the most affected nations within the

Organization of American States.

The Bahamas envisions the enactment of OAS Guardians as a momentous resource that

can be used. So, any American state that calls upon the Guardians can acquire help through

protection, surveillance, relief, aid, or any other means of assistance that is needed by a state.

The Bahamas supports the hemispheric importance of neutralizing and putting an end to all

7Commonwealth of The BahamasPosition Paper for the 2018 ESMOAS Summit of the Americasforms of transnational crime at both the domestic and inter- continental levels that impose terror

and aggression, and due to the shared value of the OAS charter of Article 3.h, which states. “an

act of aggression against one American State is an act of aggression against all the other

American States,” it is an obligation the OAS must move towards.

Overall, The Delegation of The Bahamas believes that these initiatives are essential to

ensure the security of all citizens and economies across the western hemisphere and has

optimism that through these newly established initiatives, the issue of human trafficking, will

become an issue of the past. Therefore, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas anticipates this

year’s international gathering with high optimism and is prepared to assist in fighting against

human trafficking on the hemisphere.

Topic B: Improvement of Food Security & Sustainable Forestry and Fisheries

Since the topic of food security has had an enormous relevance worldwide. Food

insecurity inhibit people a quality life and traps them into poverty; hunger and malnutrition make

work harder. The Commonwealth of The Bahamas recognizes this problem and its role. That’s

why the Delegation of The Bahamas has started working on some programs in order to eradicate

that problem, like increasing agricultural productivity with support of the Food and Agriculture

Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Bahamas is cooperating worldwide in order to

get accurate food policies and programs.

Fisheries provide an important source of rural employment as well as supporting tourist

fishing activities and contribute to the country’s exports (FAO, 2015). The Commonwealth of

The Bahamas is aware that a good governance and management is basic to have sustainable

fishery.

Forestry policies are key to achieve a sustainable forest development at any country.

According to FAO’s “Country Programming Framework (CPF) for the Commonwealth of the

Bahamas 2016 - 2019” (FAO, 2015), some of the development priorities from The Bahamas, is

to strengthen munity-based forestry management programs and to improve capacity for effective

forestry stock management.


With all this being stated, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas praises the OAS and it

drive towards negotiating terms and agreements of improvement of food security and sustainable

forestry and fisheries. However, the Delegation of The Bahamas would like to bring to notice

Chapter VII, Article 37, of The Charter of the Organization of American States: “The Member

States agree to join together in seeking a solution to urgent or critical problems that may arise

whenever the economic development or stability of any Member State is seriously affected by

conditions that cannot be remedied through the efforts of that State.”

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas recognizes that all OAS members are dedicated to

the improvement of the Americas and the protection of the citizens in the member nations.

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