The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A MIAMI-based human rights group has expressed “disappointment” that the Christie administration has failed to bring closure to a trial stemming from abuse allegations launched by Cubans who were housed at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre more than a year ago.

Ramon Sanchez, leader of the Democracy Movement, insisted to The Tribune this week that the government lacked the will to resolve the matter.

He said the families of the three men at the centre of the allegations needed closure.

The beatings of the men allegedly took place after they tried to escape from the Detention Centre on May 20, 2013.

According to documents obtained by The Tribune months after the alleged incident, a young Defence Force marine admitted that on the direction of his superiors, he punched, kicked and beat unresisting Cuban detainees with a stick until they screamed.

He was one of four men that official investigation documents said admitted to directly taking part in the beating.

“We are disappointed that this continues to linger on,” Mr Sanchez said, “We continue to encourage the government to take the necessary steps in this matter. However, we don’t see a will on the Bahamas government’s part to get it resolved. What we would like to see is justice done so that we can close this chapter so that the men and their families can have closure.

“The Bahamas government gave the impression that they were willing to bring resolve to this expeditiously. But unfortunately this trial has been frozen for months now.”

Mr Sanchez added that he was aware of the immigration challenges that the Bahamas faces. It is a matter which, he said, the government should seek the assistance of international counterparts.

“I do understand that the Bahamas faces a mountain of issues with immigration, but we are not asking for special treatment. We are hoping that internationally someone would hear our humble voice and help the Bahamas with immigration issues and possibly a reform of the procedures at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre with a view to alleviating the frustration of authorities who have to deal with so many people on a daily basis.”

During the last two months, the Bahamas has faced criticism over its newly imposed immigration restrictions. The enforcement of the new law was ushered in by round ups of illegal migrants, mostly of Haitian descent, at different sections of New Providence.

That action sparked outrage from the international community. Chief among the critics was Florida state representative Daphne Campbell, who called on visitors and businesses to boycott the Bahamas.

Mr Sanchez told The Tribune that he fully supported this anti-Bahamas campaign.

“Daphne Campbell’s call expands our cause and brings more magnification to what we had been saying all along. This is not an issue of a political group in Miami against the Bahamas. This is a matter of human rights.

“We are advocates for human rights. We fully support Mrs Campbell,” Mr Sanchez said.

He said the Democracy Movement would continue to monitor the Bahamas and its treatment of migrants.