France, Canada and Haiti expressed concerns over The Bahamas' discrimination against and immediate detention of immigrants.
Canada said though it recognizes the challenges we face with regard to migrants, it believes that migrants, refugees and asylum seekers should be detained only as a last resort.
Canada and France said The Bahamas should implement recommendations by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
France asked if The Bahamas had taken specific steps to remedy the culture of racism toward immigrants.
Haiti expressed concerns that person without documents are automatically detained and deported without judicial safeguards or the right to appeal.
Haiti recommended that The Bahamas apply the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.
They also asked for information from The Bahamas on specific measurers taken to address allegations of excessive force by security forces.
According to info provided by The Bahamas, the country has granted asylum to 102 people 'over the years'.
The report also stated that from 2004 to 2008 nearly 30,000 illegal immigrants were repatriated at a cost of more than $4 million.
-Tribune
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