WASHINGTON, D.C., May 3, 2023—His Excellency Damian Gomez, Bahamas Ambassador for Human Rights, was in Washington, D.C. from April 25 –28, for a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS)
The Bahamas is committed to the promotion and preservation of human rights as a tenet of its foreign policy. Since Ambassador Gomez’s appointment and initial engagement with human rights agencies under the context of the OAS, and particularly the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), in July 2022, it is evident that his experience in state and international law with respect to Human Rights has brought about positive outcomes for The Bahamas.
It is of particular note that during a portfolio review meeting with members of the IACHR, the number of human rights cases before the IACHR has been reduced, with no further action required by The Bahamas. The commitment is to now provide information that will support closure of other cases under review by the IACHR.
Ambassador Gomez also met with Ms. Maricarmen Plata, Secretary of the OAS Secretariat for Access to Rights and Equity (SARE)/OAS, with respect to the establishment of a Human Rights Commission, management of migration centers, and an automated system that will facilitate identification of migrants. The meeting concluded with a commitment from SARE for collaboration in the development of policies and procedures that will align with international and best standards.
Ambassador Gomez also had the opportunity to discuss matters related to Haiti with Ambassador Colin Granderson, Special Envoy to CARICOM, as well as Cristobal Dupouy, Special OAS representative in Haiti.
He also met with Rebeca Omaña Peñaloza, Coordinator of Universal Civil Identity Program in the Americas, Department for Effective Public Management, OAS. Each of these sessions resulted in a commitment for further discussion and dialogue in the effort to positively influence human rights outcomes in The Bahamas in compliance with international conventions and accords.
