IACHR concludes visit to The Bahamas

December 17, 2025

Washington, DC—The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) concluded a technical cooperation and promotional visit to the Bahamas, which took place December 3^rd and 4^th, 2025. The visit focused on enhancing the collaboration of the IACHR with State and non-governmental organizations, and on monitoring the precautionary measure 535-14 of persons in immigration detention at Carmichael Road Detention Center in force on The Bahamas. 

The visit was led by Commissioner Andrea Pochak, Country and Human Mobility Rapporteur, with the support of the Executive Secretariat team. Commissioner Pochak acknowledged that the participation by public officials and civil society organizations during the meetings was open and constructive. Noting that the visit aligns with IACHR’s Strategic Plan for the Caribbean 2023-2027, she reiterated the Commission’s commitment to its work in the sub-region, to increase technical cooperation and promote the ratification of the Inter-American human rights instruments.  

The delegation met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), the Special Envoy for Human Rights, Representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, Immigration, National Security, Social Services, and Health and Wellness. The delegation also met with representatives of the CARICOM Regional Office of the United Nations of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and with various representatives of civil society organizations.    

The Commission expresses appreciation to the State of The Bahamas for its commitment to collaborate on capacity building and promoting the Inter-American Standards on human rights, and for its logistical support during the visit. The IACHR also acknowledges the support of the office of the OAS, which contributed to the success of the technical cooperation and promotional visit. The IACHR thanks all non-state actors for their keen participation in the meetings and for sharing valuable information.    

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their respective countries of origin or residence. 

No. 269/25

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