For Immediate Release

OFFICIAL OPPOSITION DEPLORES MIGRANTS' LOSS OF LIFE AT SEA

The Opposition Progressive Liberal Party is saddened by the tragic loss of life of up to a reported twenty Haitian migrants over the weekend.

We offer condolences to the families of these unfortunate people.

The Opposition is concerned at ever more frequent stories of migrants perishing at sea in and around Bahamian waters, which highlight the need for adequate and innovative official responses to the challenge of economic migration between Haiti and The Bahamas.

In addition to stringent enforcement of Bahamian Immigration laws and the national and international laws against human smuggling, the government should implement strategies left in place to minimise the problem of undocumented Haitian migration to The Bahamas.

Chief amongst these strategies ought to be revisiting the agreement between the Haitian government and The Bahamas negotiated by the PLP and which awaits signature by the two governments.  This would be a first useful step at the two governments working together to stop this exodus at sea.

The Ingraham government has been shockingly inept and insensitive to the need to be proactive with regard to the Haitian dilemma and its impact on The Bahamas.