A/HRC/10/70
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international community to protect its people from imminent dangers of climate events and
protect their fundamental human rights to such things as life, a livelihood, food, housing and
health.
45.
Pakistan noted that the Bahamas is party to a number of international human rights
instruments and has taken the legislative, judicial and administrative steps to guarantee the
promotion and protection of all human rights of its citizens. Pakistan referred to the national
report that mentions that appeals from the Bahamas Court of Appeal go to the Privy Council in
London. It asked the delegation of the Bahamas to explain the link between the supreme
institution of a sovereign State to another institution in another country as well as its utility.
Pakistan recommended that the Bahamas consider acceding to the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights, as pledged. Also, it may be given technical assistance it seeks in support of its plans to
enhance human rights-related training.
46.
Jamaica noted with appreciation that education receives the largest percentage of the
national budget on an annual basis and, in particular, that all children residing in the Bahamas
are granted free access to education from kindergarten to grade 12. Jamaica also commended the
efforts of the Government to ensure the representation of women in decision-making positions in
the political sphere and to strengthen domestic legislation to address and prevent trafficking in
persons. Jamaica welcomed the statements that the Bahamas is in the process of submitting
reports to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Committee on the
Rights of the Child. Furthermore, it welcomed the fact that the Bahamas is in the process of
acceding to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In terms of capacity-building, Jamaica
supported the request of the Bahamas for technical assistance in human rights training and urged
the international community and OHCHR to facilitate it.
47.
Ghana noted that the Bahamas has been an ardent advocate for international struggles
against discrimination, and has allowed the participation of civil society in political life since
1950. The national report also indicated that respect for human rights is included in the social
studies curriculum of Government-operated schools, and that education receives the largest
percentage of the national budget on an annual basis. This notwithstanding, Ghana observed that
there are certain constraints affecting the human rights environment, such as the constitutional
requirement for a referendum to amend offending provisions of the Constitution which
discriminate against women, and the financial difficulties which have led to serious
overcrowding at Her Majesty’s prison. Ghana asked with regard to overcrowding if there are
provisions which could be made for alternatives to custody, particular for women. Following the
explanation of the Government that when women have young babies, they do not stay for more
than a week, Ghana asked how the Government addressed the problem generally of convicted
women who have babies and who need to stay in prison for longer periods. Ghana recommended
that the Bahamas ease prison congestion and its impact on mothers with young children. Ghana
also called on the international community to provide the Government with the needed technical
assistance to support its plans to enhance human rights-related training.
48.
Haiti congratulated the Bahamas on having provided free education to all children in
public primary and secondary schools. Haiti expressed concern that undocumented persons who
enter Bahamian territory are automatically detained and deported without judicial safeguards or
right to appeal, and recommended that the Bahamas apply the International Convention on the
Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. It also
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