The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

HUMAN Rights Bahamas issued a scathing condemnation of immigration officers captured in a viral video allegedly choking and assaulting a man during a home raid, calling the actions “reprehensible” and demanding a full and transparent investigation.

“Violent assaults and acts of brutality against the civilian public are reprehensible and have no place in law enforcement in The Bahamas,” the organisation said in a statement yesterday. “No officer is above the law. No officer can take the law into their own hand and violate people’s constitutional rights.”

The group’s statement came as a disturbing video posted to Facebook shows a man — bare-chested, gasping for air, and struggling to breathe — as officers pin him down during a raid. Bystanders are heard shouting, “Let him go, y’all killing him,” and “Y’all choking him.” One woman claims the man is Bahamian and pleads for officers to release him.

In a second clip, the man leans against a wall, visibly winded, as voices off-camera say he suffers from asthma and urge officers to give him space.

Human Rights Bahamas emphasised that all people, regardless of nationality, are entitled to due process and freedom from violence, discrimination, and abuse.

“Immigration officers are cast with upholding the Immigration Act. They have no right lawful to intimidate, harm or terrorise people,” HRB said. “We denounce any and all acts of abuse by law enforcement officers towards human beings in this country regardless of their nationality or background.”

Acting Director of Immigration Rudolph Ferguson declined to comment directly on the footage but insisted that officers are “well trained”.

“We believe in the humanity of all persons. We believe in fairness,” he said, deferring further comment pending the outcome of a Royal Bahamas Police Force investigation. “I don’t want to speculate other than the fact that our officers are well trained.”

A male officer in the video also appears to punch a resident, only to be stopped by a female officer.