“It’s critical we get to the bottom of this and deal with these challenges” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government continues to receive reports of illegal shantytowns across the country, according to Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister, who described the situation as “unconscionable”. Speaking with reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Bannister noted that the […]
Tag: shantytown
MORE HARM THAN GOOD?: Attempt to “purge” shantytowns will create humanitarian crisis, QC cautions
Smith: It is arrogant for the respondents to think they can dictate how people can live “You do not bring a bulldozer and demolish homes overnight” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government’s attempt to “purge The Bahamas of ethnically discrete communities of persons of Haitian origin” by “disposing and destroying” the homes of thousands of men, […]
“DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN”: Foreign affairs minister underscores danger of shantytowns in defense of govt’s position
Henfield: This is not about migration or illegality; this is about saving lives “We still don’t know how many lives were lost in The Mudd” ABACO, THE BAHAMAS — As he toured the storm-ravaged areas of Hurricane Dorian with a United Nations (UN) delegation over the weekend, Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield defended the government’s […]
HELP US: Shantytown residents make impassioned plea for UN intervention in ongoing demolition of homes
“Stop this senseless, heartless and illegal action that is being driven by xenophobia and discrimination” ABACO, BAHAMAS — A group of residents from The Farm shantytown on Abaco demonstrated on Saturday against the ongoing demolition of their homes, calling for the United Nations (UN) to take urgent action on their behalf to stop the government […]
“DOING IT WITH DECENCY”: 10 shantytown structures demolished; 200 more to go
What happens to displaced shantytown residents? Bannister says that’s not his problem “It’s not my responsibility to take care of those residents” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government demolished 10 illegal housing structures in the Farm shantytown on Abaco over the weekend, as it continues its third phase of eradicating such dwellings throughout the country. Deputy […]
DOUBLE STANDARD: Shantytown demolition targets perceived Haitians and not Bahamians, claims rights group
HRB: Bahamians in “traditional” communities where same issues exist are left alone “Once again, we urge the FNM to stop embarrassing the country on the global stage” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Human Rights Bahamas (HRB) yesterday condemned the government for “continuing to manufacture and perpetuate a humanitarian crisis in Abaco”, as demolition of shantytowns on the […]
“HUMANITARIAN”: Govt will assist displaced shantytown residents, says social services minister
Minister tells migrants not to be afraid to come forward for assistance Campbell: The Ministry of Social Services is not the Department of Immigration NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Shantytown residents on Abaco who are expected to be displaced following the demolition of their homes can seek assistance from social services, said Minister of Social Services Frankie […]
BAD TO WORSE: Shantytown resurgence further exacerbates Abaco’s “housing crisis”, says Chamber president
ABACO, BAHAMAS — The re-emergence of shantytowns on Abaco is merely exacerbating the housing crisis on the hurricane-ravaged island, according to its Chamber of Commerce president. Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce president, told Eyewitness News: “I’m not taking sides on the issue, because that is not we do that, but we support the […]
UN experts urge The Bahamas to halt plans to demolish 600 homes in Abaco shantytown
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — United Nations human rights experts today called on the Bahamas to halt planned demolitions this week of approximately 600 homes at two informal settlements known as the Farm and the Farm Road in Abaco. In a statement released this morning, the experts cited health and humanitarian concerns that “the community of largely […]
FINAL COUNTDOWN: Govt set to demolish more homes in The Farm today
Some Farm residents with nowhere to go say they will “wait and see” what happens ABACO, BAHAMAS — After placing final eviction notices on remaining shantytown homes in The Farm, Abaco, earmarked for demolition, the government is expected to tear down those unregulated structures today. The notices affixed to homes yesterday in English and Creole […]
TEAR IT DOWN: Phase 3 of shantytown demolition to move ahead this week
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Government is ready to move ahead this week with the third phase of an operation to demolish structures in an Abaco shantytown, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister declaring: “Our people are mobilized and ready to do what they need to do.” “When we finish there, were […]
DEMOLITION BEGINS: Govt begins removing structures in The Farm; issues “final warning”
Human Rights Bahamas denounces the move ABACO, BAHAMAS — Forty-five incomplete and unoccupied structures in the shantytown known as The Farm on Abaco were demolished yesterday, making good on Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister’s promise of resolute action in the area to remove those homes. Heavy-duty equipment tore the structures down as some residents […]
GET OUT: Shantytown demolition to begin in two weeks; residents have 28 days to leave
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister yesterday affirmed that demolition of unfinished and unoccupied structures in the shantytown known as The Farm on Abaco will be demolished in 14 days, while occupied structures will face the same fate in 28 days. Notices have been erected on newly constructed structures — outside the […]
WHERE TO GO?: Haitian single father in The Farm faces looming eviction
Bannister to address The Farm raid in Parliament this morning NASSAU, BAHAMAS — “We don’t know where we are going and we have 28 days to move,” said Rony Jeudy, a work permit holder and father of two who lives in a single-story structure in The Farm, Abaco. Jeudy, who has lived in The Bahamas […]
FARM SWEEP: Govt arrests residents in shantytown; confiscates suspected stolen property
Rights Bahamas condemns the govt’s actions as “illegal, shameful spectacle” ABACO, BAHAMAS — A multi-agency operation launched in The Farm yesterday led to the arrest of irregular migrants and “other persons who are suspected of being involved in various criminal offenses”, according to the Ministry of Works. The operation follows warnings from Minister of Public Works […]
RELENTLESS: Bannister warns “decisive action” planned for Abaco shantytown
New affidavit seeks to protect “ethnic Haitian organic communities” on island NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister yesterday gave notice to Parliament that the government will take “decisive action” against a shantytown on Abaco known as The Farm, insisting the effort “is going to be relentless”. The minister said there were “legal […]