In carrying out its responsibility for the security and safety of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Ministry of National Security is involved with a number of institutions through Country Membership in regional and international multilateral organizations. The institutions with which the Ministry is involved within the region and hemisphere are principally established with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Organization of American States (OAS)

The Organization of American States (OAS) was established out of the desire to foster closer hemispheric relations and solidarity in the Americas. The Bahamas has state membership in the OAS. The institutions of the OAS that the Ministry of National Security participates in as a result of this membership are:

• Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD)

The core mission of CICAD is to enhance the human and institutional capacities of its member states to reduce the production, trafficking and use of illegal drugs, and to address the social, health and criminal consequences of the drug trade with CICAD as the mechanism body – Multilateral  Evaluation Mechanism (MEM).

The National Anti-Drug Secretariat is the National Coordinating Entity (NCE) for The Bahamas with respect to CICAD’s Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM) Report on the “Evaluation of Progress in Drug Control from 2007-2009”.

The Ministry of National Security has also coordinated arrangements for the Bahamas’ participation in CICAD Group of Experts in areas including: The Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s participation in the, “CICAD Group of Experts on Maritime Narco-trafficking” and the XII Meeting of the CICAD Expert Group on Demand Reduction held in Guadlajara, Mexico from 25-27 October, 2010.

• Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE)

CICTE is an entity of the OAS that was established by the General Assembly in conformity with Article 53 of the OAS Charter.  The main purpose of CICTE is to promote and develop cooperation among member states to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism in accordance with the principles of the OAS Convention against Terrorism, and with full respect for the sovereignty of states, the rule of law, and international law, including international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international refugee law.  

Organizationally, CICTE has a Chair and Vice Chair elected from among member states, whose terms of office last for one year.  CICTE provides technical assistance and training for member states in response to their needs and requests, and coordinate with other international, regional and sub-regional organizations.

At the 9th Regular Session of CICTE held in Washington, D.C, from 4-5 March, 2009, The Bahamas was elected to serve as Vice Chair of CICTE. This meant that The Bahamas would serve as Chair of CICTE, at the Tenth Regular Session which was scheduled for 17-19 March, 2010, in Washington D.C.  It was held under the theme, ‘Public/Private Sector Partnerships in the Fight Against Terrorism’.  

In March, 2011, the Honourable O. A. T. (Tommy) Turnquest opened the 11th Regular Session of CICTE, which The Bahamas had chaired over the last year.  The theme for CICTE XI was, “Reaffirming our Commitment to Prevent, Combat and Eliminate Terrorism and to Strengthen Member State Capacity and Regional Cooperation.”   

The Government of The Bahamas has partnered with CICTE to host a number of workshops aimed at promoting security in the region through capacity building and training exercises.
     

Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

The Caribbean Community was established by the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas.  The Bahamas became a member of CARICOM on 4 July 1983, but abstained from being a part of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy.

There are institutions within CARICOM that are recognized and were established to foster greater cooperation among member states, particularly in the area of crime and security.  The Ministry’s involvement in these institutions is at the ministerial level.  There has been consideration within the community to make security the fourth pillar.

The Management Framework with primary responsibility for the implementation of the Regional Crime and Security Agenda is as follows:

1. Council for National Security and Law Enforcement  (CONSLE).
2. Security Policy Advisement Committee (SEPAC).
3. Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS)

• The Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE)

The Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) consists of Ministers designated by the Members of the Caribbean Community.  The Bahamas is represented on CONSLE by the Minister of National Security the Honourable Dr. Bernard Nottage, who serves as chair January 1st, 2013 - December 31st, 2013.

CONSLE is responsible for the coordination of the multi-dimensional nature of security to ensure a safe and stable Community.  Other objectives of CONSLE include:

• Promotion of the development and implementation of a common regional security strategy to complement the national security strategies of Members of the Community;
• Establish and promote measures designed to combat and eliminate threats to national and regional security; increase cooperation in mutual legal assistance in criminal matters among Members; and give policy and overall directions concerning the activities and programmes of the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).
  
  
• The Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS)

The Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) is an institution of CARICOM which is located in Trinidad. It is comprised of the Secretariat which is headquartered in Trinidad, the Joint Regional Communication Centre (JRCC) in Barbados; and, the Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre (RIFC) in Trinidad.

Officers from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and officers from the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) have served on attachment at the JRCC and the RIFC.