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Cobertura informativa de la
prensa en Bahamas relacionada con los cubanos retenidos en el centro de
detención Carmichael Road.
(MIAMI/FLORIDA/ 13 de diciembre de 2004/Netfocuba.org)-
En las primeras horas del domingo 12 de diciembre del presente año Daisy
Gil Ortiz, Lourdes Pagani y Ahmed Y. Martel, todos directores de Net For
Cuba International, ofrecieron en conversación telefónica directa con la
redacción del periódico Bahamas Tribune una detallada información sobre
los últimos acontecimientos acaecidos en esta ciudad de Miami en
relación con los cubanos retenidos por las autoridades Bahamenses.
Dicho diario nos hizo determinadas preguntas sobre el sentir de nuestra
comunidad en relación a estos hechos, a las cuales, le respondimos que
nos sentíamos muy dolidos y decepcionados por el tratamiento inhumano
que nuestros compatriotas habían recibido de las autoridades
gubernamentales de Bahamas.
De igual manera se puntualizó, que nuestra organización ha realizado
importantes gestiones a nivel internacional en coordinación con otras
organizaciones del Exilio Cubano para evitar que estos compatriotas
fuesen devueltos al régimen de la Habana.
Así mismo, se alertó a las autoridades de Bahamas que de producirse una
repatriación de los cubanos retenidos a Cuba, las consecuencias serían
impredecibles debido a que se implantaría un boicot masivo con carácter
indefinido a todos los viajes turísticos dirigidos a ese país caribeño.
Después de finalizada la entrevista recibimos de la redacción del
Bahamas Tribune una serie de artículos periodísticos que habían sido
publicados en sus páginas a raíz de todos estos acontecimientos, los
cuales reproducimos a continuación para ustedes.
Net For Cuba International por su parte agradece la gentileza del
Bahamas Tribune en facilitarnos esta información.
............................................................
By RUPERT
MISSICK Jr
Seoior Staff Reporter
"THE Latin American community in South Florida demonstrated in front of
the Bahamas Consulate in Miami yesterday to protest the possible
deportation of Cuban detainees being held at the Carmichael Road
Detention Centre.
Bahamian Consul General Alma Adams said that she was informed yesterday
by Florida Police that two groups have taken a permit to demonstrate in
front of the building and the Port of Miami today. It is understood that
the permission is to allow them to demonstrate for two days, from 11am
to 5pm.
Mrs Adams said that angry Cuban Americans flooded the embassy with phone
calls Friday.
"There are small numbers out there today but the signs that they are
displaying today are quite devastating. One for instance says, 'Bahamas
makes Cuban refugees drink toilet water and eat dog food' and 'no more
tourism for the Bahamas police state'," she said. Director of Net For
Cuba International, Daisy Gil-Ortiz, told The Tribune yesterday that the
Cuban and Latin communities at large are outraged at the Bahamian
government.
Ms Gil-Ortiz claimed that among the Cuban detainees are nine political
refugees who are members of the Cuban "opposition" party "November 30
Frank País" and a Cuban pro-human rights party affiliated with the
Andrei Sajarov Foundation.
"The Cuban government has already said that they will put these people
in prison for 10 years when they are returned to Cuba. Circulating
through all of the Spanish speaking radio stations here is a call for
Latin Americans to boycott travel to the Bahamas, and there are plans to
take to the street in front of the Bahamian Embassy," she said.
Cuban Consul General to the Bahamas, Felix Wilson-Hernandez, said he was
surprised at the behavior of the detainees involved in Thursday's riot
at the detention centre.
"There is no justification for actions such as setting fire to buildings
and attempting an escape. If you have complaints you file them through
the proper channels and you wait. We are now coordinating with
government to have them repatriated to Cuba," he said. Commenting on the
report government issued in response to the allegations of abuse at the
centre, Mr Wilson-Hernandez reiterated that when he visited the centre
days before the incident he received no complaints like the ones
contained in Amnesty's report.
"We do not condone mistreatment of our nationals but we also will not
condone actions like setting the property of a host nation on fire. If
there is mistreatment we have to act on that, but I still sees no proof
of mistreatment," said Mr Wilson-Hernandez.
Miguel Saabra, president of the Cuban activist group Vigilia Mambisa,
said that members of the Cuban community in Miami wanted nothing to do
with the Bahamas and were deeply offended by what had transpired.
Mr Saabra likened the centre to a concentration camp from World War II
rather than a detention facility. He said the Bahamas lacks human rights
and treated the Cuban citizens like animals rather than people.
He said the officers used unnecessary force in restraining the
detainees, regardless of whether they set fire to the facility".
------------------------
By RUPERT MISSICK Jr, Senior Staff Reporter
"AN INVESTIGATION into the alleged abuse and torture of detainees at the
Carmichael Road Detention Centre has found that there was no evidence of
physical abuse, but concluded that the water, shelter, and dietary
schedule were causes for concern.
Immigration and Labour Minister Vincent Peet made the statement during a
communication to the House of Assembly yesterday. Mr Peet said that the
report has necessitated a review of the management at the centre in
order to strengthen the administration. The investigation, said Mr Peet,
was carried out by trained police detectives using both undercover
techniques and overt means, such as direct interviews of witnesses and
other persons concerned, and the review of records and other relevant
information.
The tabling of the report on Wednesday came a day after the Cuban
nationals detained at the centre engaged in an act of civil disobedience
by refusing to accept their food.
Mr Peet said that after a visit by senior immigration officers along
with the Consul General in the Bahamas for Cuba, it was determined that
the Cubans complaint was that the diet was not to their liking. "They
have asked for a more Cuban diet. They have now agreed to accept food
and for our part we have undertaken to provide meals of the sort that
they may be more accustomed to eating," said Mr Peet. The minister said
that it is important that the Bahamas maintains its obligations as an
upstanding member of the international community which is why an
investigation into the matter was conducted.
Allegations of cruelty involving both Haitian and Cuban detainees
surfaced two months ago at the Detention Centre which prompted Amnesty
International to call for an "immediate, thorough and independent
investigation" into the allegations to ensure that anyone found
responsible is brought to justice.
It was alleged that a particular female Cuban national being detained at
the Detention Centre was denied the medicine which was necessary for the
treatment of her illness.
Mr Peet said that the investigation by the police has revealed this
allegation to be totally untrue.
"Management records have been produced by the Detention Centre to
support the fact that the individual in question receives appropriate
medical care. Further the individual herself was interviewed in her
native language by one of the investigating detectives. She has
indicated on the record that not only is she satisfied with the level of
medical treatment but she also found the accommodations to be adequate,"
said the minister.
Mr Peet said that the Cuban national also offered "fair comments" to the
investigating team regarding the treatment of detainees by guards.
Amnesty alleged that on October 1, Cuban asylum seekers, Rene Mendoza
Banos and Jorge Luis Conde, were allegedly severely beaten with batons
by staff, who also subjected them to a mock execution, pointing a gun at
their heads. In this case, Mr Peet said that the police revealed this
allegation to be both uncorroborated and untrue.
Details of the investigation are that one of the males threatened to cut
the throat of a caretaker at the centre. Upon being approached by a
guard on duty the Cuban national wrestled away a baton from the guard
who was then forced to draw his firearm to maintain order. "Detainees
and other witnesses who were present could not corroborate any assault
as alleged," Mr Peet said.
Amnesty also alleged that on October 10, several Cuban detainees,
including children, were reportedly forced to stand motionless against a
fence inside the camp, from 3pm to 5.30pm with no water in temperatures
of around 30 degrees centigrade. Amnesty International said they
considered that these actions amounted to torture.
The organization also claimed that several children had been held at the
centre for longer than six months. The London-based charity also claimed
there were widespread rumors of tuberculosis among detainees who are
denied medical treatment and allegedly have inadequate access to food
and water.
Mr Peet said that the investigation revealed that the allegations
surrounding the lack of hygienic supplies and medicine are without a
basis in fact because such necessities are supplied as the need arises.
However, Mr Peet admitted that the police said that there was some cause
for concern over the supply of potable water at the Detention Centre.
The police report concluded that the water supply at the centre is
inadequate and often interrupted due to the malfunction of a system
installed specifically to correct this problem.
It was also concluded that a shortage of staff at the centre has made it
necessary to serve a late breakfast at 10am and an early dinner at 4pm
with lunch at noon.
Mr Peet said that this is considered an inappropriate dietary schedule
for the detainees.
In addition to this, the report speaks of a lack of shelter, other than
the dormitories, to such an extent that the detainees are constantly
exposed to the elements while outside.
Government is expected to study the report in detail with the necessary
input from experts in the various areas of concern. "I have decided to
initiate a review of the management at the centre in order to strengthen
the administration where necessary," said Mr Peet".
_________________________________
By RUPERT MISSICK Jr Senior Staff Reporters
"CUBAN detainees rioted and set light to the Carmichael Road Detention
Centre while launching an escape bid yesterday morning. The uprising
happened less than 24 hours after a report by police investigating
allegations of torture and abuse was made public. The report stated that
there was no evidence of physical abuse at the facility.
Police and Defence Force officers were forced to fire rubber rounds to
subdue the rioting detainees. As a result of the disturbance 11 Defence
Force officers and nine detainees were injured. Two detainees were
treated in hospital with injuries caused by the rubber rounds.
An investigation into the claims of abuse and mock executions of
detainees was conducted by the police force following an Amnesty
International report in October condemning the Detention Centre. The
conclusions of the police investigation were branded a "white- wash" by
human rights activists following the report's release in the House of
Assembly on Wednesday.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Immigration last
night the detention centre was the scene of "an attempted escape and a
fire in one of the dormitories." It said that the dormitory in question
was destroyed by the fire.
The Ministry of Immigration said that the escape of three men was
discovered at 9am. Two of the men were apprehended at 10.10am, the
third, Francisco Napoles Valdez remains at large. At approximately
11.15am, the statement said, Defence Force and Immigration officers who
were about to collect a group of predominantly Cuban male detainees from
Dorm 2 found themselves locked out of the building. The officers
eventually gained entry and "observed the detainees who were behaving in
a hostile and aggressive manner."
The statement said detainees surrounded the officers and "tried to
prevent them from removing the offending and belligerent detainee. "The
dorm was set alight by the detainees who also hurled fiery objects at
the officers." It said that the officers "had to fire rubber rounds to
restore order."
The situation was brought under control by 11.30am. The statement said
the injured RBDF officers sustained mainly bruises and lacerations and
did not require hospitalization. Five of the injured detainees needed to
be taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital. It said that three of them
"sustained injuries believed to be unrelated to the rubber rounds".
The Consul General for Cuba was advised of the situation regarding its
citizens.
Police say they are continuing their investigation and three persons are
being held to assist their enquiries.
The statement said that government remains "committed to fulfilling its
international obligations and will make efforts to repatriate all
individuals at the Detention Centre as soon as possible, once those
obligations are completed."
This incident came one day after Minister Peet tabled a report in the
House of Assembly denying the alleged abuses at the detention centre.
Amnesty International, who initially raised the concerns of abuse and
torture, is expected to respond to the police report in writing to
government today.
"We are providing a formal response to the authorities there but the
officials in the Bahamas have yet to provide us with a formal response
to the letter we sent in October containing a number of concerns and
issues," said Olivia Streater Amnesty's researcher for the Caribbean
region.
Local human rights activists yesterday criticised government for what
they described as an inadequate response and questioned the logic of Mr
Peet allowing government departments to investigate alleged
improprieties at another government department.
Human rights activist, Eliezir Regnier who makes frequent visits to the
centre, said that he is not impressed with the minister's
"investigation" claiming it was a "white-wash".
"I expected this. There was no independent report. I could have almost
written the minister's speech for him - word for word. The minister is
an attorney and is aware of certain rules which must be adhered to in an
investigation. He holds brief with his officers and, while I know him to
be a very straight forward man, given the circumstances of his position
over them one must anticipate a response like this," said Mr Regnier.
Mr Regnier said that while the detention centre is a necessity, given
the country's position vis-à-vis Haiti and Cuba, it must adhere to
international standards.
"While in the case of escape I favour the state, I hope this incident
does not translate to hardship for the detainees. The government must
keep order at the detention centre and it must do all it can to prevent
anarchy, but it must live up to international standards," he said. When
The Tribune arrived on the scene just after noon yesterday, one of the
five units that comprise the detention centre had been gutted by flames.
Fire fighters reportedly had the blaze under control quickly, and had
secured the scene by 1pm.
The press was contained to an area about 50 yards away from scene of the
fire, where numerous ambulances, fire engines, police and Defence Force
vehicles were crowded together.
Throughout the day, information about the incident, the efforts to
secure the compound, and the ongoing investigation remained difficult to
obtain.
There were unconfirmed reports that only half of the men were
recaptured, and that one of them sustained a gunshot wound during the
incident.
The Tribune witnessed paramedics transferring at least two persons on
stretchers into ambulances at around 1.30pm yesterday, however it is not
known if they were injured during the incident, or as a result of the
fire.
Reporters also witnessed a number of men, who seemed to be detainees,
being escorted onto a Defence Force bus that had been parked just in
front of unit that was damaged by fire.
Cuban Consul General, Felix Wilson-Hernandez could not comment on the
incident but said that given the nature of what transpired he would have
to wait to co-ordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before a
visit.
Allegations of cruelty involving both Haitian and Cuban detainees
surfaced two months ago at the centre which prompted Amnesty
International to call for an "immediate, thorough and independent
investigation" into the allegations to ensure that anyone found
responsible is brought to justice.
Amnesty alleged that on October 1, Cuban asylum seekers, René Mendoza
Banos and Jorge Luis Conde, were allegedly severely beaten with batons
by staff, who also subjected them to a mock execution, pointing a gun at
their heads.
In this case, Mr Peet said that the police revealed this allegation to
be both uncorroborated and untrue.
However, Mr Peet admitted that the police said that there was some cause
for concern over the supply of potable water at the centre. The police
report concluded that the water supply at the centre is inadequate and
often interrupted due to the malfunction of a system installed
specifically to correct this problem.
It was also concluded that a shortage of staff at the centre has made it
necessary to serve a late breakfast at 10am, lunch at noon and dinner at
4pm.
Mr Peet said that this is considered an inappropriate dietary schedule
for the detainees.
The conditions at the centre also raised concern among the vocal Cuban-
American lobby in South Florida.
Between 20-25 Cubans in Florida were involved in the peaceful protest
last Friday and carried placards with messages designed to discourage
travel to the Bahamas and to protest about the "unfair treatment" of the
Cuban detainees at the refugee centre".
____________________________________
By RUPERT MISSICK Jr
Senior Staff Reporter
"AMNESTY International is calling for the government to launch a
commission of inquiry to investigate reports of the possible use of
excessive force by law enforcement officials during Thursday's
confrontation at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, in which nine
detainees and 11 officers were injured.
The human rights organization said that the incident underlines the need
for government to establish an independent commission of inquiry into
conditions at the detention centre.
"Amnesty International has received reports that some detainees are
alleging that several people, including women and children, were
severely beaten with batons and that police prevented detainees from
leaving the facility once the fire started," said the organization in a
statement released on Friday.
At a press conference held yesterday, Immigration Minister Vincent Peet
said that Defence Force and Immigration officers acted properly during
Thursday's riot and denied that their aggressive behavior sparked the
disturbance. (See full story page 2).
Amnesty also criticized a government report into the alleged abuses at
the centre, saying it failed to address serious issues, including the
indefinite detention of children.
On Thursday, Cuban detainees rioted and set fire to the Carmichael Road
Detention Centre while launching an escape bid.
Defence Force officers fired rubber rounds to restore order after
detainees tried to secure and subsequently light a fire in a room. Two
detainees were treated in hospital with injuries caused by the rubber
rounds.
"The inquiry must be able to make recommendations arising from its
findings on how the organization of immigration detention conditions
could be changed or improved," Amnesty International said. The
organization also urged both the government and the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees to ensure the full protection of asylum-seekers
from forcible return and discrimination, in their response to Thursday's
incident.
On December 8, Minister of Labour and Immigration Vincent Peet presented
a report to parliament following a police investigation into allegations
of ill-treatment at the centre. The concerns were raised by Amnesty
International and other organizations.
The report, while welcome, said Amnesty, failed to address serious
issues, including the indefinite detention of children.
Amnesty International will be providing the government with a formal
response to the report and is seeking more information on the remit of
the police investigation, amid concerns which include witness protection
and availability.
In 2002, Amnesty International recommended that the government establish
a multi-disciplinary inspectorate body independent of government, with
the power to undertake regular visits to the detention centre, to hear
detainee grievances and issue public reports and recommendations.
"The body should be granted full and independent access to detainees,"
said Amnesty.
Other recommendations included extending an invitation to the UN Working
Group on Arbitrary Detention to visit and report on arbitrary detention
in the Bahamas and ensuring detention policies and practices comply with
international standards".
________________________________________________________
By PACO NUNEZ
Tribune Staff Reporter
"DEFENCE Force and Immigration officers acted properly during Thursday's
riot at the Carmichael Detention Centre, Immigration Minister Vincent
Peet said yesterday. He denied suggestions that their aggressive
behavior sparked the disturbance.
Mr Peet and Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell held a joint press
conference Friday to discuss the incident, which resulted in a fire that
left one of the centre's four dormitories gutted by flames.
Nine detainees and 11 Bahamian officers were injured during the
riot.
Mr Peet said that the officers sustained their injuries "in the line of
duty" and it was "fortunate that there were no serious injuries in the
incident".
He said that he was "concerned and upset" by the fact that the officers
were injured, saying that it was his first priority to protect "our
people".
Mr Peet assured the public yesterday that detainees "are and have been
treated fairly" at the facility, and commended the officers for the
manner in which they handled an "extreme provocation". However, the
secretary-general of a leading Cuban opposition party told The Tribune
Friday that the "violent" behaviour of immigration guards led to the
riot.
Luis Israel Abreu, secretary of the Democratic Party November 30,
claimed that three party members were among the nine detainees injured
in the riot.
Two of the nine were injured by rubber bullets. Officials said the
guards were forced to fire the bullets to restore control at the
facility. However, Mr Abreu said that according to information the party
received from persons who visited the detainees at the hospital hours
after the riot, this was not the case.
The detainees allege that after three men attempted to escape on
Thursday morning, the officers began to act violently towards the other
detainees.
He said the detainees "knew how violent the guards are there, so they
barred the doors". The guards nevertheless managed to break into the
building, where they crowded detainees "into a corner" and opened fire
with rubber bullets, he added.
Mr Abreu said that he did not know how the fire started, but claimed
that the detainees at the hospital allege that officers refused to allow
them to exit the burning building.
Mr Peet denied the allegations, saying that they were "totally
incorrect".
He pointed out that considering the scale of the fire there would have
been no survivors had detainees been locked inside. The fire destroyed
the building in which it started, and Mr Peet estimated that the damage
was in "the tens of thousands of dollars". "It didn't happen like that
at all," he said.
A statement released by the Ministry of Immigration on the day of the
incident confirmed an escape attempt early Thursday morning, but said
that in "a separate but connected incident" officers who were attempting
to collect several detainees from Dorm 2 of the facility found the door
to be barred. It said that officers only opened fire after they were set
upon by detainees.
Mr Peet said that it was "impatience with their detention" that caused
the Cubans to riot.
"Impatience with due process is no reason for arson," he said. Mr Peet
spoke yesterday to the possibility that some of the detainees might
qualify for refugee status, saying that this would be determined in
accordance with standard procedures.
"The Bahamas attempts to deal with these matters as quickly as
possible," he said, cautioning "would-be agents of provocation from
outside the country that strong representation is expected, but
incitement to destroy public property and disrupt public order is
unacceptable."
He confirmed that 33 Cubans had been transported to Her Majesty's Prison
Fox Hill after the incident, and remain in custody there. He said that
what will happen to them depends on the outcome of police
investigations.
Mr Mitchell said yesterday that the problem is not one for the Bahamas,
but arises out of the country's geographical location. "This is a
difficult geo-political issue, which is not of the making of the
Commonwealth of the Bahamas. We happen to sit by accident of geography
between the United States, which is the country the people are trying to
get to, and Cuba, the country the people are seeking to leave."
He said that Bahamians should not feel "put upon in any way" by the
problem. "This is our country, we stand up for the integrity of our
country and don't let anybody put us on the defensive over this," he
said. Mr Mitchell told The Tribune that pressure from groups like Mr
Abreu's was responsible for the unrest at the detention centre. He said
that the "most intense line of inquiries" about the incident have come
from Cuban- American communities in South Florida. Mr Mitchell said that
his ministry had made it clear to international groups who have inquired
about the incident that "reports of abuse of detainees are false and
without foundation".
He said that it is the sensitivity with which the Bahamas approaches
both its bi-lateral agreements with Cuba and its international
responsibilities that is often the cause of delay in processing Cuban
migrants, but added that government tries "to act as quickly as
possible, as sensitively as possible and as humanely as possible". He
stressed that Bahamians and Florida residents have a close relationship
and that the government would "talk to our friends" to make sure that
the relationship is maintained.
Mr Peet assured Bahamians yesterday that security at the Detention
Centre was being reviewed, and that he would undertake to ensure that
the numbers of both Immigration and Defence Force officers are
increased".
Fuente:
Netforcuba.org
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