BAHAMAS - 2006 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES

UNCLAS NASSAU 000867 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT, PRM NIRIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SMIG PHUM HA BF SUBJECT: BAHAMAS - 2006 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES REF: A. SECSTATE 41367 ¶B. 05 NASSAU 1412 ¶C. NASSAU 243 ¶D. NASSAU 657 ¶E. 05 NASSAU 454 ¶F. 04 NASSAU 2336 ¶1. Post requests $20,000 under the 2006 Ambassador's Fund for Refugees to establish The Bahamas Human Rights Council. As stated in Post's 2006 Human Rights Report, "Anti-Haitian prejudice and resentment regarding continued Haitian migration were common." Beatings and other abuses against non-Bahamians continue (reftels B, C and D). Ongoing human rights abuses against migrants have resulted in rioting (reftels E and F),and threats of further violence in local Haitian communities. Local and international observers have repeatedly commented on abuses, including Amnesty International's 2006 report of "hostility against Haitians" and "continued reports of abuses against asylum-seekers and other detainees at the Carmichael Road Detention Center." Post assesses a serious gap contributing to these abuses -- a lack of advocacy and training regarding the human rights of non-Bahamians. ¶2. The New Providence Community Center and the Eugene Dupuch Law School have been in discussion regarding the possible establishment of The Bahamas Human Rights Council intended to promote the rights of persons in The Bahamas without regard to national origin, but have been hampered by lack of funding. The Ambassador's Fund Grant will turn the idea into reality. The Human Rights Council will be Nassau's first local human rights NGO, advocating for the rights of migrants and providing training regarding those rights. More than just a single project, the funding will build local capacity for ongoing future projects, creating a multiplying effect with the grant funding. The International Human Rights Council would begin its life with presentation of a public seminar entitled "The Human Rights of Migrants and Refugees in The Bahamas" followed by a strong focus on the publication of educational materials regarding universal human rights, including material printed in Creole. ¶3. The New Providence Community Center is a faith-based NGO that has long supported community development projects in The Bahamas and has taken a progressive stand on the rights of Haitians. The Community Center is devoted to social justice projects, including support of youth development, anti-drug campaigns, environmental protection, disaster assistance, migrant assistance and HIV/AIDS awareness. New Providence Community Center is well-known and respected in the community. The Eugene Dupuch Law School, through its Legal Aid Clinic, provides legal assistance at no cost to all persons, regardless of nationality or legal status, and serves many persons in the local Haitian community. It has actively supported migrant rights and human rights in general in The Bahamas. ¶4. The grant would be spent as follows: Development and publication of Council charter: $500 Purchase of stationary and supplies: $1,000 Purchase of furnishing/computers: $3,000 Fundraising expenses: $1,500 General organizational expenses: $1,500 Development/design of educational materials: $1,500 Printing and translation of educational materials: $6,000 Promotion and distribution of educational materials: $2,500 "Human Rights of Migrants and Refugees" seminar production: $2,500 ¶5. Post point of contact is Gregory A. Floyd, 242-322-1181 ext. 4510, floydga@state.gov. HARDT