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VOLUME:116 No.208, OCTOBER 23RD, 2019
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ALICIA WALLACE: RELIGION TAKING CONTROL AGAIN
Demolition ban ‘must be lifted’
Minnis orders AG: Get shanty town ruling thrown out By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has instructed Attorney General Carl Bethel to petition the court to lift a standing injunction that prohibits the government from demolishing shanty towns in the country. Dr Minnis said these unregulated communities need to be removed as they pose imminent health risks. This is the second time this month the prime minister told the House of
Assembly of the government’s policies to deal with shanty towns. On October 2, he announced that the attorney general had been instructed to compulsorily acquire land where the Mudd, Pigeon Peas and Sand Banks once stood. At the time, Dr Minnis stressed that the government was intent on returning law and order to the country. “It is essential that we have all within our boundaries live in proper, safe accommodation,”
THE worldwide shortage of the drug vincristine, which is used to treat cancer among children and teens, had an impact on local treatment, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday. “The particular drug of concern is the drug called vincristine which is a very important drug in the
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A HAITIAN man who was previously deported was sentenced to a year in prison yesterday for coming back into the country under a fake name and trying to apply for a work permit with a fake letter of approval. The accused man - who went by the names Louis Anel and Acelhomme Orius – was sentenced by Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans for not only entering the country under a false name, but being caught with a fake approval letter issued by the Department of Immigration to be employed as a handyman. And those actions by the 37-year-old Gros Morne native came months after he SEE PAGE SIX
SEE PAGE FIVE
DARVILLE ASKS: IS GB PROJECT CREDIBLE?
treatment of childhood leukaemia. So just as they’re struggling to find vincristine in the United States and elsewhere, we’re struggling to find it here. So yes, it has an impact on the treatment of leukaemia,” he said. “We will have to do the best that we can in order to try and find it but hospitals all over the world are struggling because a number of manufacturers that use to
SENATOR Dr Michael Darville is questioning the “credibility” of government’s Heads of Agreement for a new $64 million medical school in Grand Bahama. He said the proposed Western Atlantic University School of Medicine — which was only recently incorporated – is not yet an accredited institution among other things, which undermines its integrity as a reputable university. On Monday, the government signed a HoA
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
CHILD PATIENTS HIT BY DRUG SHORTAGE By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
DEPORTEE’S RETURN ENDS IN JAIL TERM
SEE PAGE TWO
NATION’S HONOUR BAHAMIAN Olympian Shaunae Miller-Uibo was invested with her National Honour - the Order of Lignum Vitae - by Governor General CA Smith at Government House yesterday. For a full report, see Sport. Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS
SEE PAGE SEVEN
‘CHURCH PROMOTING ANTI-GAY VIOLENCE’ TECHNOLOGY By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Christian Council has used “trickery” and encouraged violence against the country’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, instead of rejecting continued injustices toward the minority group as the organisation is mandated to do. This assertion came from Alexus D’Marco, chair of
ALEXUS D’MARCO the Bahamas Organisation of LGBTI Affairs, and an organiser of a pride parade
slated for next year. BCC president Delton Fernander on Monday told reporters the organisation would not support the event, adding there were plans to host an opposing rally to make its position known. He told the media that in the aftermath of devastating Hurricane Dorian, now is not the time to “play games with our faith”. Further, he said, the church would be asking
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SEE PAGE THREE
JODY WILLIAMS TAKES ON THE KILLER ROBOTS
SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Wednesday, October 23, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
26-year-old being treated for malaria
A BAHAMIAN resident who had recently travelled to Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean is being treated for malaria, the Ministry of Health revealed yesterday. The ministry said the 26-year-old man arrived at a local hospital on Sunday, October 20, with symptoms of fever, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, but no evidence of bleeding. “The patient was immediately isolated due to his
history of recent travel through Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean,” the ministry said. “Blood samples were obtained to investigate the cause of the illness which were positive for malaria. The patient then commenced treatment and continues to be monitored closely. “As a precautionary measure, the patient remains isolated until his clinical status significantly improves.” The Ministry of Health
encouraged travellers to areas where malaria is known to occur to see their primary care physician or a public sector clinic to have their risks identified. Travellers may need to receive medication to take before, during, and after their trip to prevent becoming sick with malaria. Those with questions should call the Communicable Disease Surveillance Unit at (242) 502-4790 or (242) 502-4776.
Child patients hit by drug shortage from page one THE JUVENILE outside court yesterday. By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A 16-YEAR-OLD was arraigned yesterday, accused of the shooting death of a 44-year-old man in the Pitt Lane area last week. The teenager, a resident of McCullough Corner, was charged before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt with murdering Bruno Brown on October 14. The 16-year-old and a 32-year-old man, Jamal Forbes aka “Gary” of Burial Ground Corner, are further charged with conspiring to kill Brown. Another man, 22-year-old Joel Saunders of Sandy Lane, is charged with abetment to murder. According to police, shortly after 8pm on the date in question, Brown
Photo: Donavan McIntosh
YOUTH, 16, ON MURDER CHARGE was standing on Pitt Lane off Sandy Lane, when he got into an argument with a male who was known to him, who shot him multiple times before running away. Paramedics were called but were unable to resuscitate the man; he was pronounced dead at the scene. None of the accused were required to enter a plea to the charges and the matter was adjourned to a later date for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). Bail was
denied and they were each remanded into custody in the interim. They have a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. Prior to the arraignment, as the suspects were being escorted to the Magistrate’s Court complex in shackles, a woman who said Brown was her brother shouted at them, calling for “justice” in connection with the man’s death. “Ya’ll ain’t riding just like that,” she emphatically told the accused.
make vincristine no longer make it and so now it is in very short supply.” When asked how many Bahamians may be affected, Dr Sands said while the numbers may not be large, even one patient is too many. He said: “This is a problem but it’s the same problem you would have if you were in Miami, New York, if you were in Houston, if you were in London because a number of the major manufacturers no longer make the drug and so it is difficult to get anywhere.” Vincristine is a chemotherapy drug that belongs to a group of drugs called vinca alkaloids. It works by stopping cancer cells from separating into two new cells, in essence stopping the growth of cancer. Earlier this month, one US doctor referred to the situation as a nightmare. “This is truly a nightmare situation,” Dr Yoram
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands Unguru, a paediatric oncologist told the New York Times. “Vincristine is our water. It’s our bread and butter. I can’t think of a disease in childhood cancer that doesn’t use vincristine.”
It was later reported that the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) said deliveries of the drug are expected to resume by late October, however the shortage could continue until at least December.
Lia Love is Immortal
3rd July, 1984
Called according to God’s purpose
23rd October, 2008
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, October 23, 2019, PAGE 3
LLOYD ‘DISAPPOINTED’ BY TEACHERS’ ACTIONS By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
EDUCATION Minister Jeff Lloyd expressed disappointment in the actions of some of the teachers at CH Reeves Junior High School yesterday. The teachers engaged in a protest recently. Speaking to reporters outside of Cabinet, Mr Lloyd said his ministry is seeking to resolve whatever outstanding issues the teachers have. He said: “I’m advised that there were concerns with regards to classroom space, that matter, I’m advised, has been resolved. I was also advised that teachers were unhappy about having to float. . . from one classroom to the next. I understand that matter too is being resolved. The principal, along with the district superintendent and our
main offices, are seeking to address that.” He added that he is “painfully disappointed” that the processes outlined for disagreements between union members and the Ministry of Education were not followed in this case. Mr Lloyd said if the industrial agreement in question is no longer serving its purpose, all parties need to sit down and come to a new agreement. “This is deeply troubling; it is troubling because, one, we have an agreement. That agreement should be respected, if that agreement and its terms no longer serve the purpose for which it was originally intended and it does not serve those purposes today, they’re adults, we are reasonable, intelligent and smart people,” he said. “We have no difficulty with that whatsoever. We want what is best for our teachers, administrators and,
most importantly, for our students. When our employees, some of them without notice, take it upon themselves and leave their workstation and leave vulnerable and at risk our precious little girls and boys.” Mr Lloyd added: “In the case of CH Reeves...it is most unfortunate, unfair and dangerous because these are children. Their parents have sent them to school with the expectation – legitimate expectation – that they will be cared for by adults. Caring adults, responsible adults and when actions of this nature are taken let me say that I am most disappointed.” When asked if the ministry had concerns about the students falling behind, Mr Lloyd said: “We already only have 180 days to fulfill our curriculum requirement in this country. We need more like 200 days, but we have 180 days. So, every day that a student is deprived of
EDUCATION Minister Jeff Lloyd these very important and critical instructional times, of course it is a concern for us. Naturally it must be a concern and I cannot understand why if there is a grievance – come to the table, let’s talk about it.
“Let’s try to find solutions, let’s sit and work together.” Earlier this month, a CH Reeves teacher explained the issues instructors have with their workplace. Topping the list of
concerns, the teacher said, is the delay in the completion of the main block at the C H Reeves. “Let me help sensitise to you why this is such a major issue. It is the largest of our four teaching spaces and houses the largest percentage of classrooms, offices, and the main assembly meeting space. Because it is out of use, there are cases where teachers have been asked to combine classes in a singular space,” she said. She noted that teachers were initially told that the block would be open by mid-September, but it didn’t happen. “Additional challenges faced because of it include, multiple teachers floating and clashing in rooms that are already occupied, a more confined and chaotic assembly space and chaos during break and lunch time as there is only one tuck shop open for usage by nearly 1,000 students,” she said.
Church promoting anti-gay violence, claims D’Marco from page one Bahamians to choose a side and likened the plans for the pride parade to a “Sodom and Gomorrah” moment. The comments drew criticism from Ms D’Marco who said yesterday it opened the community to added violence and tensions at a time when it already faces these injustices. She said the organisation’s requests to meet with the BCC had also been ignored. “I think what it is the church and people need to recognise is that the church is a non-governmental organisation and they have a mandate to follow, which they follow the JudeoChristian Bible and he’s exercising I guess his right as an NGO to speak on how he feels about LGBTI community or the event,” Ms D’Marco told The Tribune yesterday. “The reality is the event is about the injustices the Bahamas LGBTI community faces as citizens living in their own country and if you are an NGO that believes that injustices to any person is wrong then you should be aligning yourself with the cause of LGBTI people of the Bahamas.” She continued: “He’s using trickery. He’s using the Bible as an excuse for spiritual violence against a grouping of people. “They don’t stand on the fence and say ‘Are you a fornicator stand on this side?’ They cherry pick and they use these things against the community, which is violence, which can incite extra violence for a community that’s already receiving violence. “The interpretation of pride, they are basing it on what they see on TV or what they research on the internet. They have never actually seen a Bahamas LGBTI pride that will fit our context and our climate. Once they see that then they can make their assumptions. “Don’t assume what you think pride is to us because that’s not what it is to us. Pride is about exposing, sensitising, educating about injustices that we see as a community, which is a grassroot activity.” Ms D’Marco said requests were made for a meeting with the BCC to sensitise the organisation ahead of the announcement of the pride event, but nothing ever materialised. “We have sent numerous communications, emails in
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BISHOP DELTON FERNANDER, President of the Christian Council along with other pastors of the Christian Council pictured earlier this year. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
regards to having this dialogue prior to Pride, so when Pride was announced they would have already been sensitised to what Pride was about or what the community faces. Not even about Pride but what our community faces on the whole. “We sent e-mails repeatedly about having this dialogue.” Pride Bahamas 2020’s theme is “The Rebirth of Pride Bahamas Centering LGBTIQA People in The Bahamas’ Future”. In a statement posted on Facebook, organisers said the event signaled the beginning of a new start in the country. “At the heart of this are discussions around what the Bahamas should look to as it seeks to respect, tolerate and include LGBTI Bahamians,” the statement read. “At no point in the conversation should the domination of the church or religious groups materialise. We aim to bring religious LGBTI persons and allies together
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to celebrate their faith. As much as the Bahamas Christian Council may misrepresent the LGBTI community and the movement, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. While they are praising undisturbed, we will be celebrating Pride undisturbed. While they misinform the public about what we want, we share with the public the truth about what we want. “We are coexisting and both the LGBTI movement and the church agree that this coexistence should be a non-violent one. “Freedom of speech is alive and well and so is freedom of religion. Inequality and discrimination continues to be an issue for LGBTI and other marginalised communities and we hope that with the continued cooperation and partnership with our government, we can see this change for the betterment of all.” Editorial View - Page 4
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Pride and prejudice “THE time is coming” were the words of Pineridge MP and pastor Frederick McAlpine recently on the subject of civil unions for same-sex partners. He might not have shared the memo with some of his fellow pastors. Perhaps predictably, the Bahamas Christian Council has found something to be outraged about: the proposed gay pride parade due to be held next year. So outraged are they, in fact, that they intend to hold an opposing rally. Alas, according to Alexus D’Marco, chair of the Bahamas Organisation of LGBTI Affairs, their outrage didn’t extend to actually meeting the organisers of the pride parade as requested to be able to express their concerns. “We have sent numerous communications,” said Ms D’Marco, “emails in regards to having this dialogue prior to Pride, so when Pride was announced they would have already been sensitised to what Pride was about or what the community faces. Not even about Pride but what our community faces on the whole.” Without taking up that meeting, the Christian Council has been forthright in their public comments - telling people that after Hurricane Dorian, now is not the time to “play games with our faith” and even going so far as to say the church would be asking Bahamians to choose a side. What they mean by that is unclear - but it is not the language of understanding. Ms D’Marco went on to point out that one of the goals of the parade is to highlight injustices affecting the LGBTI community. In this, the pride parade is a throwback to the very first such parade, in the US in 1970 – and it was a deliberate choice to choose the word pride rather than power. Activist L Craig Schoonmaker was the one who suggested that, later saying:
“There’s very little chance for people in the world to have power. People did not have power then; even now, we only have some. But anyone can have pride in themselves, and that would make them happier as people, and produce the movement likely to provide change.” It is entirely possible to disagree with some of the goals of members of the pride parade while also wanting to ensure they are not the victims of injustice. It is entirely possible to hold to one’s personal religious views while co-existing with others who do not share them. After all, the organisers of Pride have been at pains to co-exist themselves, saying: “At no point in the conversation should the domination of the church or religious groups materialise. We aim to bring religious LGBTI persons and allies together to celebrate their faith.” We would suggest that the door remains open for the Christian Council to raise their concerns. There is no reason to let divisions remain between now and next year and end up with the possibility of hostility between rival parades. The dialogue can begin now. If the Christian Council has concerns, raise them directly, without threat or the appearance of intimidation. No matter how much the council wishes, this is a section of our community that will not be going away – and as such they have rights and, yes, responsibilities just as all of us do. Is the council willing to reach out and talk? Or are they turning away from an entire part of the community? No one person in The Bahamas should be regarded as greater or lesser than another. We are all equal. To that end, no one person should have fewer rights than another. Where there is injustice, we should seek to bring justice. Now that would surely be the Christian thing to do.
No way out EDITOR, The Tribune THE Prime Minister and the Attorney-General have made it clear that any “amnesty period” after Dorian has ended and that Government will now rigidly enforce laws requiring repatriation of undocumented immigrants, or else lock them up. That’s fine as a legal principle, but realistically how will it be executed? This is not a question of a few dozen foreigners employed without work permits, or over-staying their visitors’ period. Clearly, although they are not named, Haitians are the target, primarily the several thousand who left the Abaco shanty towns and are now housed in New Providence shelters or elsewhere in The Bahamas. What method of repatriation does Government propose? The Haitian
government will take no meaningful steps to cooperate, and could close its airports to flights from the Bahamas, and even blockade the few marine landing points As has been ably described elsewhere, the Haitian authorities much prefer that its citizens remain in Bahamas, USA, or Dominican Republic and remit their earnings home, rather than return and add to the abysmal unemployment. And I doubt that many Haitians will voluntarily make the move – I have certainly never met one. Perhaps the current news does not percolate to Nassau. (Does our press ever send reporters?) An on-the-spot team from the New York Times recently reported that conditions in Haiti have descended to a level of anarchy never seen before. In the days of Doc
and Baby Duvalier, their Ton-Ton Macoute would shoot any troublemaker. These days the poor simply suffer starvation or murder by armed gangs that wander unlit streets where the few police fear to patrol. Is this the sordid scene to which our humane, well-organised immigration authorities expect to deport thousands of bitterly objecting Haitians? Or else build a vastly expanded detention centre to hold them all? I admit that I have no answers. But I hate to see our Government make grandiloquent promises that look good politically but have no realistic chance of enforcement. They will just back-fire and make our leaders look like foolish hypocrites. RICHARD COULSON Nassau, October 21. 2019
Emission question EDITOR, The Tribune
WHAT is the level of emissions pollution of the cruise ships in Nassau Harbour — Half Moon Cay — Coco Cay upcoming MSC Cay/Ocean Cay and Disney? Read an article from Norway up in their fiords ...pollution is exceptionally high in this almost 100%
unpolluted environment except when the cruise ships visit. What is Global Holdings aka Nassau Port people going to do about that? DORIAN passed through over a month ago ......... many donors had PR events – curious was Global Holdings missed by the media? Said pre the RFP got to
involve the Cruise Companies to get the biggest bang for new business...retail on the dock will kill existing retail unless Bay Street retail is assured locations. If a type of Fish Fry is developed...the original Arawak Cay Fish Fry will die. J W BURROWS Nassau October 15, 2019
Be strong, today and tomorrow EDITOR, The Tribune
THE aftermath, rescue, recovery and ongoing restoration from hurricane Dorian was hailed with #Abacostrong and #GBStrong sentiments of optimism and faith to rebuild. Hurricane Dorian’s destruction is an ongoing overwhelming dark shadow blow to the people, the communities, the government, institutions, and businesses that stood in this dreadful storm’s path. Thus, the will to restore must be held to the benchmarks that exist in our established building code, which novices insist needs overhauling and extreme revisions. I reminded myself of a drive I took along Pinder’s Point Grand Bahama (not too far from the coast, which would have likely had storm surge) maybe months after the passing of Hurricane Matthew and was amazed as to how some old timber/wooden (clapboard) structures were still standing. One must consider there must have been a principled contractor who followed the code and took measured steps in construction methods. Rebuilding structures on these islands and coastal areas across the country
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net may need variations to home entry floor levels to safeguard against potential storm surges that will impact low finish grade elevations. Thus, these low grades should be enhanced with additional fill for good grading practices, notwithstanding our current building code has the provisions and standards for category 5 hurricanes like Dorian. With many coastal parts of our country, there needs to be a budgetary allowance allocated for NEMA and the new Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction for the enhancement of seawalls or the introduction of coastal groins and berms to prevent or reduce impacts at the international airports in Marsh Harbour, Abaco and Freeport, Grand Bahama Islands. The countless hurricanes impacting Freeport International Airport should have already been addressed with a multilevel airport terminal with fixtures and finishes which optimise energy
performance along with renewable energy assets and an interior building envelope complete with thermal comfort and quality views. These are just some projects checklist associated with the scorecard of USGBC LEED’s New Construction and Major Renovation rating system. Key urban planning principles should be undertaken with the city of Marsh Harbour and the excess Crown lands south of Spring City. The smart city concepts for Andros which were suggested by the former Member of Parliament Alfred Sears now needs to be the guided roadmap with stringent thorough review teams or steering committees. We want a strong Bahamas for every island of The Commonwealth of Bahamas, this strong Bahamas must be for today and tomorrow. Let’s stop talking about the potential and beauty but act on the preservation and build the dream, the industry, the hubs and transformational advancement that we have delayed so long in taking flight. ‘DEAF SIRENS’ Nassau October 17, 2019
Hypocrisy of awards system EDITOR, The Tribune QUEEN’S Honours and now National Honours — who should receive them? We are a nation of young people but we reward the geriatrics persons mostly over 60 even retired in a system which is drastically flawed. The system is really flawed because what easily occurs is that a person who wants to be ‘self decoratedhonoured can orchestrate being honoured. The system is by application
supposed to be that the honoree does not know but I guess all know and many will have started their own promotion to get such an honour...vanity kills and certain people so love to stick themselves out there although they have already been honoured by The Queen in the Queen’s Honours. 2019 showed this. Some years ago in the United Kingdom the Honours List was changed and from geriatrics we saw young people being rewarded for their
attainments.......yes young people. Don’t we have young people, say in their 30’s who have excelled in their profession or have been outstanding in the world of civics? Of course, but witness the prime criteria — you must be, yes must be a party in office known supporter and this Award system is called a National Award system? As is abolish it as it is total hypocrisy! H STUBBS Nassau October 16, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, October 23, 2019, PAGE 5
AID DONATIONS NOW STANDING AT $7.4M By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE government has received $7.4m in donations through various channels in aid of Hurricane Dorian related efforts, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday. Speaking at Parliament yesterday, Dr Minnis further announced a VAT exemption on fuel for generators in areas of Abaco and Grand Bahama still without electricity and an extension of the from page one the Killarney MP said yesterday. “That is the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of its people and all within its domain. “Therefore, it is mandatory that we remove all shanty towns within our territory. They break our laws. They are unsafe. They are unhealthy. They’re a health risk and they are unhygienic and therefore I will ask the attorney general to return to court and ask that the injunction be lifted. “It’s essential, Mr Speaker, that we save lives. With these orders we want Bahamians and residents to know that a life threatening event is possible and you should move to preserve life and to spare lives.” Following the House of Assembly, formal communication was sent to Mr Bethel to begin the process, The Tribune was told. Dr Minnis’ latest announcement will likely trigger rebuke from human rights activists as was the case with his instruction to compulsorily acquire shanty town land. Rights Bahamas has said the organisation would not relent in taking legal action over the move, branding it “xenophobic and petty”. A little over two weeks ago, the local human rights watchdog said if this means fighting tooth and nail throughout the courts and up to the Privy Council to prevent a “terrible abuse of power,” then it was fully prepared to do so. According to Mr Bethel, acquiring the land is expected to be a lengthy
ongoing exigency order until December 31. Dr Minnis said the government was also considering how to assist business owners who lost large volumes of inventory as a result of Hurricane Dorian. Regarding donations, the prime minister said there will be a marked difference in how his administration conducts business when compared to the previous Christie administration. “In this hurricane relief effort there will be accountability,” Dr Minnis told
the House of Assembly yesterday. “I just want to give an update. There are many Bahamians who believe we’re collecting billions and billions of dollars. That is not true. “I want to point out that as of today we would have received donations to the tune of $7,443,938.64 – not hundred of millions of dollars that people believe.” He also said: “Just to give an idea of the expenditure, but we will keep the Bahamian people updated
as to how much money we collected and how it is spent.” He said the government has spent $1,934,359.35 on RVs, inclusive of fixed bank charges, and $2,750,000 for mobilisation on dome structures. “Be assured that this government will give updates of the monies received so that individuals would not feel that we are misappropriating the funds. We will account and report to this Parliament as to every cent we receive and how every cent was spent. We will
account for the donations we received. “We will account for the money that we spend and we will report to the Bahamian people on this process as it develops. We believe that a government should be able to account for the money that we spent in the hurricane relief effort. “The Bahamian people know you very well. They know the other side,” Dr Minnis continued. He said the government was aware of the cost associated with fueling generators as power supply is
still not connected in certain areas. “I want to remind those homeowners and residents, especially in the cays, that the government recognises the cost to you of utilising generators in the absence of power supply and the government will remove VAT off diesel, off fuel you purchase for your generators. “The government is also considering how we can assist the restocking of supplies that would have been lost,” Dr Minnis said yesterday.
Demolition ban must be lifted, says Minnis process. “Matters are sort of in abeyance because of the condition of Mr (Fred) Smith,” Mr Bethel told The Tribune earlier this month. Mr Smith survived a near fatal paragliding accident in Italy that required fivehour surgery last month. He had been paragliding in the Dolomite Mountains of the Italian Alps, when an accident led to him dislocating and shattering his left ankle, breaking his left tibia, dislocating and slicing his right ankle and breaking two vertebrae. Mr Bethel continued: “We are speaking with a representative, his counsel over here, seeking to clear away what we call interlocutory matters. There are some applications for discovery documents and things like that so we’re trying to in a sense get the nod to go ahead and have those matters heard in Smith’s absence, which you know he is lead counsel so it depends on what he says. “This is the shanty town case and so there are some interlocutory matters that need to be cleared out so that we can set it down for a date for trial. That’s what we’re trying to do.” Rights Bahamas has said the government could not just use Hurricane Dorian
as an excuse to take away property rights of people who once called those unregulated communities home. Following the monster storm’s passage, the Minnis administration issued a sixmonth prohibition ban for all Abaco shanty towns. However, Rights Bahamas said the order should not have only been directed at those areas. In August 2018, the Supreme Court allowed an injunction barring the Minnis administration from moving ahead with its August 10, 2018 eviction deadline for unregulated New Providence communities. The court also ordered government and utility providers to halt any planned service disconnections or evictions in shanty towns pending a judicial review of the Minnis administration’s policy to eradicate those communities. Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson at the time granted the interlocutory injunction blocking evictions and service disconnections just days ahead of the government’s 2018 deadline during a telephone conference with human rights attorney Fred Smith, QC, and Mr Bethel.
PRIME Minister Hubert Minnis on a recent visit to Abaco
JOHNSON DEFENDS DECISION SANDS DISMISSES FEARS OVER TO MANDATE WORK PERMITS LACK OF DOCTORS ON ABACO By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net IMMIGRATION Minister Elsworth Johnson yesterday defended the government’s decision to mandate work permits for Hurricane Dorian volunteers entering the Bahamas. Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, Mr Johnson said the government still has an obligation to ensure only fit and proper people, who have the country’s best interests at heart, are allowed to enter and leave The Bahamas. He said: “We have not just national obligations to ensure that the right persons are here but an international obligation. Because we are dealing with the OECD and the Financial (Action) Task Force and we are saying to the world that we can account for persons coming and going. “This is what the government has done post Hurricane Dorian. We issued the exigency order to allow products and services for the purposes of dealing with the devastation from Hurricane Dorian to come. You saw international groups came in and they fed persons, they were allowed in and their staff was allowed in.” Mr Johnson added: “(This) is still ongoing because the exigency order is for six months. Persons can’t just turn up; you must understand that around the world after devastation you had persons who came, and they did not have proper intentions. Women and children were hurt.” Mr Johnson said the
government is serious about guarding the country’s borders as well as the redevelopment of Grand Bahama and Abaco. He said: “This is a very serious thing. We still have to ensure that the fit and proper persons are coming into the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and we can’t tell you everything that happens. “But I will tell you this, that history has shown in different areas after these things, people come in who are not supposed to be in and you could just do a simple research. Children are hurt and women are hurt.” The minister said the government is still welcoming and inviting volunteers to come to this country and assist with storm relief and rebuilding. He said volunteer groups should contact the National Emergency Management Agency or the Department of Immigration about the protocol for entering this country for relief efforts. “The policy is if you put cogent, fit and proper explanation to the Immigration Department that you are here and you’re not here to displace Bahamians from working, you’re here
ELSWORTH JOHNSON
genuinely to provide a service to assist.” He added: “In those circumstances we have the authority to exercise our discretion and we have been doing that. I think what we have to do is sometimes, it’s a reason I listed the history of what we have done as a government and as a people.” He spoke on the issue after there was some commentary on social media about a foreign volunteer needing a work permit. Mr Johnson said when one clip goes viral on social media, everyone “seems to forget everything”. He said: “I’ve spoken to the immigration director; he’s looking into this matter. I have spoken to the gentleman who represents the Chamber of Commerce in Abaco. I’ve given him my contacts; the immigration director is in contact with him. “Our role is to facilitate economic activity and commerce within these islands so that products and services and industry can move freely, and the development of these islands can happen very shortly. The gentleman from Baker’s Bay said in a year, year and a half they can rebuild bigger and better. They have the experience before.” He added: “So we’ve gone on the ground, the different government agencies and all of the necessary licences will all be applied, but if you can make a reasonable – if someone coming in or if someone wanting someone coming to assist – make a reasonable proposition to the Immigration Department.”
By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands yesterday dismissed the claims of a humanitarian worker who criticised the government and the Ministry of Health for a lack of resources in Abaco. On Monday, humanitarian worker Burke Bryant posted on Facebook that he was wakened at 7.20am as a first responder to a traffic fatality in Abaco that claimed the life of two men. Mr Bryant claimed that there was one doctor on the island and responders had to wait for three hours or more for the men to be airlifted to New Providence. Dr Sands told reporters outside of Cabinet that the post made a number of allegations that were not correct. He said: “First of all the allegation was there was only one doctor in Abaco. I would have given the names of the five physicians that are posted throughout Abaco inclusive of the number of NGO posted physicians and the Department of Health physicians. There are five plus physicians providing health services in Abaco. “Now that said I think it’s important not to shoot the messenger but to listen to the message to try to understand how it is that things can be done better. Certainly, I think we need to pay attention to the fact that speed kills. So, to have two vehicles involved in a head on collision at a high rate of speed that results in the death of two people in one car is certainly
THE TRAFFIC accident on Abaco earlier this week something that’s a horrible tragedy and a preventable tragedy.” Dr Sands added he was reasonably satisfied with the responsiveness of the air evacuation team. “That said if we look at the management of the tragedy after the event...to mobilise an…aircraft to get to Abaco and then to get to Cooper’s Town in order to evacuate the remaining victim who as I understand at my last report was stable and in hospital,” he said. “So again, it’s not a matter of being critical of anybody who says that things can be done better. What we try to do is look at the suggestions being made and act on them if they’re going to improve the care that’s delivered in any environment, but particularly in Abaco and Grand Bahama.” The minister also
noted his ministry has started the process of negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the University of Miami in order to provide surgical services in Abaco for the first time in history. Dr Sands said: “There have never been critical care services provided in Abaco. The operating room in the major facility in Abaco has never been used. We believe that will do wonders to improve the quality of care that’s provided in Abaco. I meet with the University of Miami team on November 1. “I would have met with the dean of the medical school and the chairman of the board. We are looking forward to a collaborative effort in order to improve the quality of care being delivered, not only in Abaco, but in Grand Bahama.”
PAGE 6, Wednesday, October 23, 2019 By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net
ANGLICAN Archbishop Laish Boyd has warned that the country could “very easily get a black eye” from the international community if it does not handle the illegal immigration issue in a sensitive manner. The religious leader also recommended that a board or authority be set up to monitor immigration issues. This board would focus on visiting the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, and other shelters housing migrants, as well as investigate claims of mistreatment or discrimination against migrants, among other things. Bishop Boyd, pictured right, also called for calmer heads to prevail in the
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We may get a black eye over immigration, warns bishop immigration debate, saying there is extreme rhetoric on each side of the argument. His comments to the 116 Session of Synod at the Christ Church Cathedral on Monday night came after international groups hit out at the Minnis administration’s decision to resume deportation of undocumented migrants just weeks after Hurricane Dorian devastated Abaco and Grand Bahama, leaving thousands of people, including migrants, misplaced.
“The topic of migration is an extremely hot topic worldwide, and Hurricane Dorian has pushed the issue to the forefront of our national agenda all too suddenly, once again,” Bishop Boyd told the congregation. “I now reiterate some sentiments that I expressed in synod charges that I delivered in the past. Our country could very easily get a ‘black eye’ from the international community if we do not make a most valiant effort to get it right. We are indeed a sovereign
nation and we expect the world to appreciate this fact. However, the world will ‘mark the manner of our bearing’ in immigration matters, in particular. “I suggest that a board or authority be set up to monitor our handling of this extremely sensitive matter. This entity could be comprised of representatives appointed from the following: the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, the Bahamas Christian Council, the official opposition, labour, social services, the Office of the Attorney General, among others. In a posthurricane environment like now, and in ordinary times, such an entity is a necessity.” In addition to his previous suggestions, he said the body could address any bad behaviour of shelter residents; hear concerns related to delays in applications for citizenships and permanent residency, in particular and advise the government proactively on areas of potential concern. “This list is by no means exhaustive, but I want to make the point that, as concerns arise in these areas, the body ought to be able to advise and to speak to the issues. I am convinced that a report produced by such an entity would be considered more credible by the international community in particular than if given by a government official. “We would all want to ‘get this right’ as we work to secure our borders, as well as to treat humanely the migrants in our midst, whether they are documented or not. The way we treat others who are different from us is a true mark of our Christianity and, in this instance, I am happy to echo the remarks made
earlier by the governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands. ‘In the meantime, I strongly urge that calmer heads prevail in the debate going forward. Some of the rhetoric and extreme language I have heard thus far those supporting the migrants and those who are not, is extremely provocative, and not helpful to the cause of harmony in our country. We must be careful what we say and how we say it. Sensitivity must prevail. Even if what we say may be right, the time and the manner may not be right.” The Anglican bishop also referenced xenophobic fears that Haitian migrants only take from the country while not contributing to society. “Bahamians must stop saying that Haitians in particular, come and take while giving little or nothing to the country. This is simply not true. Whenever a person works or raises a family, that person adds value to a country, in return for which he/she receives certain things like wellbeing, goods and services. It is not an exaggeration to say that if we take the Haitian labour out of our country, the Bahamas would be all the poorer because Haitians are contributing in every area you can think of. “There are many aspects of the Haitian culture from which we could learn much, for example, the vast majority of them work extremely hard and not hang around on the streets begging like so many others do. Their work ethic is very good.” He said Haitians also
have a “keen sense of family life,” look after their children in the vast majority of cases by attending PTA meetings when many Bahamians do not. He also said many children of Haitian migrants “excel academically because that is a priority in their homes.” “My brothers and sisters, let us be honest and realistic, and let us find ways to live together in peace and harmony as God, who made us all, would have it,” the bishop said. Last week, the United Nations Human Rights Council urged the Bahamas to end deportations to Haiti for now, emphasising the vulnerable status migrants affected by Dorian currently occupy. The group has called on the government not to deport people who lack documentation without assessing each person’s case and to implement due process guarantees as the people are “entitled to under international law.” This came after the government reported that more than 100 Haitians were recently deported to Haiti. But in a statement released on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign affairs doubled down on the government’s unwavering position on deportations, saying any person found in violation of the Bahamas’ Immigration Act will be dealt with according to statute laws. While pushing back against international scrutiny and criticism levelled at the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this country was one that “strictly” adhered to the rule of law, both locally and internationally.
HAITIAN DEPORTEE’S RETURN ENDS WITH A YEAR IN JAIL from page one
was placed on the restricted list and deported out of the country on May 11. In sentencing the father of two, Magistrate VogtEvans said her “heart is heavy” because of the “audacity” the accused displayed in committing the fraudulent acts just months after being deported. She harkened back to last week when she sentenced a number of other Haitian nationals to prison for illegally entering the country. At the time, one of them, Gregoire Jude, said the reason he committed the act was because it is “easier” to sneak into the Bahamas as opposed to say,
the United States. “That statement was so profound to me,” Magistrate VogtEvans said. “It’s so clear. What we do here is only a scrape at the bottom of the barrel as to what the problem is. And I’m seeing it in these courts. Here it is, a man who was deported, returns to this country and goes to the Immigration Department for a work permit. It’s very serious.” She added: “It tells me that something is wrong. Why do they believe that they can continue to do this in this country? Why are they finding it so easy to enter as (Jude) would have said to the court?” According to the facts, around 2.30pm on October 17, the accused attempted to collect a work permit from the Department of Immigration’s headquarters on Hawkins Hill. He presented a Haitian passport with the name “Acelhomme Orius” as identification. However, there was a flag in the system when officers tried to issue the permit. The flag referred to a fingerprint match with a “Louis Anel” who had been restricted and deported from the country in May. The suspect was subsequently cautioned for presenting fraudulent documentation and taken into custody for further processing and investigation. A check of the department’s Border Control Management System (BCMS) revealed that “Acelhomme Orius” initially entered the country through the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) on October 30, 2018 and was permitted to stay as a visitor until December 31 of that year. He returned to the Bahamas on July 5 of this year and was permitted to stay until October 17. However, there was no record of the alias Anel entering the country through any authorised port where the BCMS is in place. Following a check of the department’s Permit
Issuance System (PIS), it was discovered that Anel applied for a work permit on September 26 for employer “Rosie Williams” as a handyman. After a review of that application and its supporting documents, it was discovered that a letter, which resembled an approval letter, was used as grounds for the creation of the application. The letter, dated October 15, 2018, includes the name “Acelhomme Orius” and bore the signature of Valerie Murphy, for the director of immigration. When given the letter for her perusal and verification, however, Ms Murphy verbally denied ever creating that document and provided another letter stating as much. Anel was consequently charged with one count each of knowingly attempting to mislead an immigration officer and possession of a forged document. Prior to being sentenced, Anel’s attorney Alex Dorsett pleaded for the magistrate to be lenient with his client, whom he said was remorseful for his actions. However, Magistrate Vogt-Evans said the court “must do its job without fear, favour, affection or ill-will” and must “ensure” that whatever sentence is passed either rehabilitates or deters the relevant behaviour “based on the immigration climate in the Bahamas”. Magistrate Vogt-Evans sentenced Anel to six months on count one and a year on count two, the sentences to run concurrently. Anel is ordered to be turned over to the Department of Immigration upon completion of his sentence, she said. Last week, Magistrate Vogt-Evans lamented that court fines do not seem to be a deterrent to illegal immigration and were “making things worse”, and said undocumented migrants will “go to jail for a longer time” if they keep coming to her court.
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Wednesday, October 23, 2019, PAGE 7
WSC AGREES DEAL TO EXPAND GPS TRACKING SYSTEM By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Water and Sewerage Corporation signed a contract yesterday for the expansion of its GPS tracking solution, which will help support improvements within its operations. Speaking at the contract signing, WSC Executive Chairman and Long Island MP Adrian Gibson noted that the ability to track the corporation’s vehicles
will provide numerous benefits in the areas of safety, efficiency and accountability. “Some of the these include accessing fleet data from an internet connection to improve command and control without having to be in the office… monitoring fleet activity to ensure that the right assets deployed to the area of need…reducing overtime by monitoring location of staff and time spent on job site,” he said. “This company and this new
agreement will allow for or cause the corporation to have training, support and maintenance so the staff of the corporation will be well trained and up to speed with respect to what CompassCom offers.” At the moment, there are some 48 WSC vehicles tracked by CompassCom. But with this expansion, as noted by Mr Gibson, an additional 75 vehicles will be tracked and eventually the entire fleet. According to Mr Gibson, WSC
engaged the services of CompassCom in 2012. In doing so, Mr Gibson said it has allowed the water corporation to experience many significant benefits. “The CompassCom GPS tracking solution enables the corporation to enhance command and control from its dispatch centres as well as from mobile supervisors in the field,” he continued. “It uses local wireless networks to deliver the real-time location of vehicles. The
location data leverages the corporation’s investments in our mapping and call centre, asset and work order management system solutions. “The integration of these systems coupled with its wireless capabilities, mapping features, and real-time data gives the corporation a world class solution to support improvements in operations, in order to meet increasing demands throughout the islands where the corporation provides service.”
Darville asks whether GB medical project is credible from page one approving the development of a 98,000sq ft medical campus on 50 acres of land in Freeport owned by the Public Hospitals Authority. The institution would be constructed in phases over 10 years, creating 200 jobs and injecting some $200 million into the local economy. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis indicated that the WAUSM’s approval to operate the campus will be contingent on the university obtaining accreditation from the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), or an equivalent body. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Dr Darville, Progressive Liberal Party shadow minister of health and education, however said the announcement raises more questions and requires much clarification. “The PLP welcomes any major investment project for Grand Bahama that would stimulate that economy.
Without a doubt, this announcement raises more questions than answers and requires much clarification,” said Dr Darville. He referenced a statement made by CEO Peter Goetz that his initial attempt to establish a medical school in the Bahamas was frustrated and thwarted by political interference, something Dr Darville said is “patently untrue and unfortunate”. Senator Darville said the PLP government made its decision not to move forward with the idea based on the professional and technical advice of its team, including the Bahamas Investment Board and the Bahamas Medical Council. “Mr Goetz must clarify his ill-advised statement,” he demanded. Dr Darville, former minister for Grand Bahama, noted that during the Christie administration, the government entertained similar proposals from at least three groups interested in establishing similar education facilities on Grand Bahama after
THE PLANS unveiled earlier this week and, inset, Michael Darville the closure of Ross University. He said all the groups had failed to satisfy the full requirement of the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA) and the accreditation protocols of the Bahamas Medical Council (BMC). “BMC advised that if we as a government proceeded with any of these proposals, none of the professional degrees conferred by these
Funeral Service for MEDWICK KEN ROLLE, 68 of Pinewood Gardens, passed peacefully at his home on October 3, 2019. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, East Shirley St. Officiating will be Fr. Anselm Russell. Cremation will follow. Left to cherish his memories is his Step Mother: Marena Rolle; Daughters: Anitrah and Kenricka Rolle; Son: Medwick Rolle; Grandsons: Jahkai Gray and Medwick Rolle III; Sisters: Dona Maycock, Nadene and Heidi Rolle, Coral Roberts, Valerie Butler, Gloria Bethel, Judy Edgecombe, Sherryl Morley and Tamineka Edgecombe; Brothers: Godfrey Edgecombe and RBPF Insp. David Cox; Nieces: Paige Maycock, Dr. Noelle Rolle, Shanique Dupuch, Jannettte Hanna, Cindy Moss, Candice Smith, RN Tarique Fernander, Shenique Deveaux, Salma Smith, Shornette Hilton, Tamia Barr, Tiara Glinton, Davina and Davincia Cox, Sandrika, Cynteea, Andrease and Andrewnique Edgecombe, Raquel Crumlin, Dr. Alexandria Thompson, Dominique and Champayne Bodie, Louann Thompson and Loonise and Lolita Thompson; Nephews: Keith Butler Sr., Harold Miller, Reginald Farrington, Taquin Johnson, Rafiq and Siraj Abdul Malik, Tevin Bethel, Lavar and Neschco Edgecombe, David Cox Jr., Ryan Fisher, Shawn Thompson, Karan Bastian, Brando Thompson Jr., Duke Bodie Jr., Eric Washington Jr., Henry Thompson and Lewis Thompson Jr.; Sisters-In-Law: Cynthia Washington, Deborah Dupuch, Jennifer Bodie, Lona Thompson, Diana Cox and Dellarease Edgecombe; Bother-In-Law: Duke Bodie Sr., Brando Thomposon and Kenneth Morley; Other Relatives and Friends: Antoinette Bowe and family, Herbert Rolle, the Family of the late Blanche Rolle, Willis and Beryl Ferguson, David Knowles and Family, Demetrius Butler and Family, Shirley Babbs and Family, Leslie Isaac and family, the Davies family, the Scott family, Larry Rahming and family, Rohan Carter and family, Ian Tynes and family, Cheryl Carey and family, Kevin Almace and family, Tanya Stubbs and family, Julitta Brice, Tiffany Moncur, Grier Cartwright, Mai Tai Rahming, Harry Reckley, Tero Ranger, Nadia Pennerman, Josetta Thompson and family, Simone Hepburn and family, Rashanda Williams and family, Sean Deveaux and family, the Cartwright family, Pastors Humphrey Ferguson and Gino Jennings, Maxwell Moncur and family, Deon Glinton, Esther Rahming, Aremetha Cambridge, the Staniel Cay Family, the Sacred Heart Church Family, the Chipman Family, the Daxon Family, the Martin Street Family, the Buttonwood Avenue Family, the Atlantis Entertainment Department Family, the Le Cabaret Family, the Gaming Board for The Bahamas, The Baha Mar Casino Cage Department, the Mantas Water Polo and Swim Club Family, Aquinas College Class of ‘93, the Hawkins Hill and Canaan Lane Families and all the persons Ken touched, too numerous to mention. Relatives and Friends may pay their last respects at Butlers’ Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Ernest and York Streets on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 from 10:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
institutions would be recognised or accepted in the Bahamas,” he said. “This proposed medical school was recently incorporated with no known track record of performance, a physical campus or teaching hospital anywhere in the world. Further, the government’s press release failed to outline any reputable affiliates.
“This proposed private university currently holds no accreditation with any regional or international body, but they intend to train doctors from around the world to meet international standards,” Dr Darville said. “On the face of it, the above factors undermine the integrity of the proposed institution and the credibility of the government’s
HoA. In order to correct these inherent problems, the investors intend to apply to the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other health professional accreditation bodies to validate its existence prior to accepting students.” The PLP senator criticised the Minnis administration, accused it of “putting the cart before the horse.” “The Bahamas government is coming across as desperate, lazy, and sloppy in its due diligence. The above, along with medical education finances, were the principal reasons for the failure of Ross University,” he said.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, October 23, 2019 LEADING human rights lawyer Fred Smith has strongly rejected the government’s response to complaints by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights about The Bahamas renewed deportation of undocumented migrants. Statements in recent days by Attorney General Carl Bethel and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have defended the expulsions which had been halted in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. The Bahamas’ position, they maintained, is all deportations had been done in compliance with the law and that the UN’s criticism was “unfortunate”. Smith, who is recovering in an Italian hospital from a near-fatal para gliding accident, says the facts put forward by Bethel and the Foreign Affairs Ministry simply do not stand up. Here, in today’s Tribune, he writes on behalf of Human Rights Bahamas.
By FREDERICK R M SMITH, QC
“The International Community may rest assured, that The Bahamas……. adheres strictly to the Rule of Law both locally and internationally, especially with respect to the rights of every man, woman and child in its jurisdiction. Any person entitled to be in The Bahamas legally will be accorded every fundamental right under its Statute Laws. Any person in violation of the Immigration Act will be dealt with in accordance with the… Laws of …. The Bahamas.” THE above quote regrettable propaganda by the Government, repeated ad nauseam - is an outright lie. Without fear of contradiction, every judgement of the Courts of The Bahamas since 1989 put lie to this. Every petition determined by the Inter American Commission on Human Rights of the OAS put lie to this.
Every Request For Precautionary Measure issued by the IACHR put lie to this. The Annual Human Rights report submitted by the State Department to the Congress of the United States of America belies this. The independent fact investigators for Amnesty International, IACHR, and the OHCHR of the
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The Bahamas continues to be a nation that victimises and abuses the human and constitutional rights of people of Haitian ethnic origin and, in the pursuit of this obsession, the rights of all others are being sacrificed UN belie this. Every testimony collected for decades by HRB and every heart wrenching story of abuse published for decades in the media put lie to this. Quite apart from the fact it was a diplomatic faux pas for the Attorney General to have responded to the OHCHR so rashly, his emotive knee jerk defence of the
The Bahamas was in substance wrong. One fundamental example will suffice to discredit. He said: “Our immigration officers do not deport persons willy nilly. In fact the Immigration Department does not have the power to deport. It is the court that deports.” This is incorrect and
misleading because it seeks to clothe deportations with an apparent cloak of judicial legitimacy. Under Sec. 40 of the Immigration Act, Deportation Orders are made by the Minister of Immigration. Further, even that simple process is not adhered to. Thousands of people are regularly “expelled” in breach of Article 25 of the Constitution. Or they are euphemistically “repatriated” with no due process. HRB challenges the government to publish “deportation orders” for the last 5000 expulsions. Doubtless, and to the credit of the Government, in many ways it acted in a humane and compassionate way to all the victims of hurricane Dorian regardless of place of origin, race, ethnicity or nationality. However, whether as a result of the vile vitriol vomited from the xenophobes and hate mongers, or the customary seduction of portraying itself as tough on immigration to get votes, or because it wanted to take advantage of the storm to pursue its frustrated agenda of eradicating Haitian ethnic communities, it aggressively pivoted back to its default position of visiting institutionalised discrimination, victimisation, abuse and terror on the Haitian ethnic community and pandering to the Haitian Haters in The Bahamas. It just coudn’t help itself! One example from the MOFA statement is sufficient to discredit it.. “….The Bahamas wishes to assure that there was adherence to all due process; and the requisite procedures for proper documentation via captured biometrics were followed to determine every individual’s constitutional right to reside lawfully in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Persons found wanting and in violation of the Immigration Act were lawfully removed, in accordance with the requisite Court Orders.” The government unlawfully took advantage of thousands of storm victims who were in effect, “prisoners” in the shelters to illegally, and under no “due process”, capture private information from them for immigration. This is not lawful under the Immigration Act or the Constitution. There is no law which requires any person to be “documented” in The Bahamas. There is no law which requires any person to have any paper proving their Immigration or citizenship status. Every person is protected by the constitutional presumption of innocence and has a right to move freely throughout The Bahamas. Despite the law, if a person does not have a document evidencing citizenship, residency, or work visa they become terrorised victims of immigration abuse. This is challenging to the thousands of people born in the Bahamas, but who are in limbo. These are the “Citizens in Waiting”, who are either still under 18, or who have applied for registration under Article 7 of the Constitution, or who did not apply but have done so under Section 9 of the Nationality Act, (many of whom have been waiting for their applications to be considered for years) or who did not apply and are simply in citizenship limbo.
It is really to these many thousands of people of Haitian ethnic origin that the spectre of systemic immigration abuse is most real and terrifying. These are the “undocumented”, with rights to be in The Bahamas, but who are lumped together with the “illegal migrants” and treated as outlaws with no rights! And this is the case with the majority of the victims of Dorian from the Haitian ethnic communities of the shantytowns of The Mudd, Pigeon Peas, Sand Banks etc. These poor unfortunates, who have already lost members of their families, their possessions and homes to Dorian, are now also the victims of Immigration and a government that encourages this discrimination and abuse, and turns a blind eye to it, and has the gaul to lie to the international community about respecting the rule of law in The Bahamas. In breach of the constitution and international conventions and human rights norms, The Bahamas continues to lump the many different categories of persons of Haitian ethnic origin in the Bahamas as “illegal migrants” and continues to treat such people as guilty until they can prove their innocence. This state encouraged and condoned illegal behaviour by the Immigration, Defence and Police forces, continues to result in illegal arrests in which people are then detained in inhuman and degrading conditions and filtered through an illegal process where they have to prove they are lawfully in the country. The Immigration Department continues to illegally expel people in breach of Article 26 of the Constitution and without complying with the legally required deportation procedures under the Immigration Act simply because they are undocumented. It is a disgrace, it is inhumane particularly so for the victims of Dorian from Abaco and Grand Bahama. The hunt for the Abaco Haitians is on! Immigration are now illegally stationed at the domestic airports and harbours, looking intimidating in their battle fatigues, randomly questioning and demanding papers from any victim of their suspicion. The resumed Immigration assault has resulted in so many victims of Dorian in Abaco, who may be undocumented, hiding and being unable to take advantage of what is being provided to everyone else, being unable to travel, families being separated and unable to go back to what is left of their homes. An example of the rank discrimination pervading government’s thinking, was the publication of a building prohibition order only as against the shantytowns not against anybody else in Abaco. The Bahamas continues to be a nation that victimises and abuses the human and constitutional rights of people of Haitian ethnic origin and in the pursuit of this obsession, the rights of all others are being sacrificed. It is a perverse denial of the truth for the Bahamas government to continue to parrot, both domestically and internationally, that it is Christian nation that respects the rule of law.
PAGE 10, Wednesday, October 23, 2019
I
T WAS recently confirmed that Pride celebrations will be held in The Bahamas in October 2020. It is no surprise this announcement was closely followed by homophobic rhetoric, proclamations that The Bahamas is a Christian nation and that we should remain focused on hurricane relief and nothing else. Many people have strong feelings about LGBT+ people and are not content to keep them to themselves. They believe their feelings are more important than the lives of others. Homophobia is rooted in and related to several systems of oppression and, in The Bahamas and throughout the region, is built upon and supported by religious fundamentalism. Here, the Christian church has set the tone and moulded our behaviour on a number of issues. In particular, The Bahamas Christian Council consistently attempts to assert itself as a moral authority on a particular set of issues while noticeably ignoring others. There has been a constant question about what determines what the Bahamas Christian Council chooses to comment on and assert its power as
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Here we go again the church seeking to control how we think The
Alicia Wallace column the conscience of what is perhaps the largest constituency in the country as opposed to what it is content to ignore. We rarely hear its voice on issues of violence, mental health, child safety, or poverty. It does not tend to instruct the government to protect the human rights of women or children when they are violated. How many churches open their doors to the unhoused? How many religious leaders work to bring information to their congregations directly from
experts and practitioners so that they can make their own decisions (rather than accept, parrot, and act on what they hear from pulpits). It is clear the Bahamas Christian Council has no interest in empowering the Bahamian people. It is interested in control. It wants to exert its power. It wants to make this country a Christian nation by ridding it of all that it deems to be unchristian through its dangerous speech and the riling up of its followers.
It was disturbing to see that the Bahamas Christian Council has announced that it will hold an antigay rally. It is one thing to decline to offer support, and entirely different to directly oppose - especially standing on a religious text - an already vulnerable community. It is despicable that this is the way the Bahamas Christian Council chooses to use its resources and influence. Pride events take place all over the world, providing a space for LGBT+ people to be in community with one another and, if desired, with allies. It is has little to do with people outside of the community or those staunchly opposed to what they incorrectly deem a “lifestyle.” The options are to participate and support or to steer clear of the events. There is no need to protest the identities of LGBT+ people. Rallying the general public to “take a stand” against LGBT+ people, selling the fiction that it is synonymous with standing for Jesus is irresponsible and hateful. We have to understand
BISHOP DELTON FERNANDER, President of the Christian Council. that our religious beliefs do not apply to other people. This country cannot be governed by the religious text of one group of people, no matter how large. LGBT+ people are human beings and it follows that the community has human rights. Pride presents an opportunity for those interested to learn about the LGBT+ community, for corporate entities to increase sensitivity to diverse identities in the workplace, and for the wider community to learn to be more supportive of LGBT+ people. It is not a time for religion to be used as a weapon against
one of the most marginalized communities in this country. There are pervasive issues that need to be addressed, and the influence of the Bahamas Christian Council could be useful, and it is unfortunate that they choose to use it differently, targeting innocent people. People are hungry, children are being abused, hundreds of people are living in shelters, and we do not have a consistent supply of electricity. Pick a cause. Any cause, as long as it helps people rather than hurting them.
strongly held positions. One is that people are opposed to our UN membership, largely because they generally do not understand what the UN is or The Bahamas’ relationship with and participation in the body. Many may not even be aware The Bahamas now sits on the United Nations Human Rights Council - one of the treaty bodies that reviews, assesses and makes recommendations to countries on issues of human rights. The second position is that Haitian people are subhuman, or somehow deserving of less than Bahamians. Related to that is the view that there are no circumstances under which it would be appropriate or, more specifically, advantageous to allow Haitian migrants to live and work in The Bahamas for a decent wage and access public services. The former is indicative of a failure on the part of the government to inform the public of its duties, functions and activities outside of country borders and the role of international bodies with which we interact on a regular basis. The latter is the product of misinformation, xenophobia, and consistent elevation of self interest above common good. The UN has been painted as an overbearing, powerwielding entity run by foreigners who want to control this country. This is a mischaracterisation of the UN, its purpose, its influence and its goal. It is comprised of close to 200 countries that are expected to engage respectfully and with reasonable knowledge of global affairs and the standards and
values the body has come to represent. There are significant advantages to membership in the UN, especially when we join with allies on issues of particular importance. For example, we saw leaders of Caribbean countries stand up and tell UN member countries that is critical to take climate action and provide support to The Bahamas. Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is deceptive and, when taken on its own, communicates to the funders that The Bahamas is generally not in need of financial assistance. This is, of course, a barrier to getting sufficient financial aid not only for disaster relief, but for mitigation and adaptation. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are particularly at risk of the effects of climate change. Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley has spoken to the need for other countries to step up and provide the financial support that could save countries, homes, and lives. The United Nations does not impose itself upon countries. It is an intergovernmental organization established in 1945 for the purpose of international cooperation. It adopted a charter which clearly states as its purpose the promotion of peace and security, development of friendly relations and problem-solving between countries and determining actions that lead to common goals. No country can be forced to join the United Nations or to participate in its activities. No country is forced to sign conventions or declarations. Countries can choose to participate in treaty bodies, and when they do, they are required to adhere to the documents signed, report regularly, and be accountable for what they have or have not done. The Bahamian government must be held accountable for the lives it puts at risk and the trauma it causes by refusing to consider current circumstances, uphold human rights, and resist the urge to appeal to the worst in us in an exchange it hopes will result in votes.
Being a member of the UN has many advantages THE Bahamas is a member of the United Nations and actively participates in sessions such as the General Assembly which is held in September every year. Not only is this country a member of the UN, but it has chosen to sign on to numerous conventions and declarations. These include the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrmination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The country voluntarily signed, demonstrating its intent to adhere to or, at the very least, work toward adherence to what is outlined in them. These are for the benefit of the people of The Bahamas, expanding our rights and increasing our access to the rights we already have. Following the report that 112 Haitian people were deported on October 10, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) responded with a call to discontinue deportations at this time. This has resulted in - as is often the case when a UN body speaks to an issue in The Bahamas - people spewing misinformation about the entity. It must be made clear the UN is not, nor does it attempt to be a bully to any government or country. It cannot force any country to take a particular action, but it can remind them of its Charters and any treaties it has signed, highlight violations of human rights, and encourage governments to act in ways that align with their espoused values. It is completely reasonable for OHCHR to recommend the Government of The Bahamas acknowledge the rights of migrant people under international law, and find alternate ways to address the issue of people, particularly following the destruction of Hurricane Dorian, lacking documentation. The visceral response to the statement from OHCHR is fuelled by two
PRIME Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley
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Wednesday, October 23, 2019, PAGE 11
CANADA’S TRUDEAU WINS RE-ELECTION BUT FACES A DIVIDED NATION TORONTO Associated Press
PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau begins his second term facing an increasingly divided Parliament and country, with his rock-star appeal from four years ago diminished by scandal and unmet expectations. Trudeau was re-elected in a stronger-than-expected showing in Monday’s national elections. But while his Liberal Party took the most seats in Parliament, it lost its majority and will have to rely on an opposition party to get anything passed. The prime minister struck
a conciliatory note in an early morning address that forced the TV networks to break away from covering his Conservative rival, Andrew Scheer, who had just begun speaking to his own supporters. “To those who did not vote for us, know that we will work every single day for you, we will govern for everyone,” Trudeau said. With results still trickling in, the Liberals had 157 seats — 13 short of the 170 needed for a majority in the 338-seat House of Commons — while the Conservatives had 121. While Trudeau claimed a “clear mandate,” his party won fewer raw votes nationally than
the Conservatives did, and failed to win a single seat in the western provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, where the Conservatives dominated. There is growing outrage in Alberta, home to the third-largest oil reserves in the world, over Trudeau’s inability to get a pipeline built to the Pacific Coast. “To Canadians in Alberta and Saskatchewan,” he said after his victory, “know that you are an essential part of our great country. I have heard your frustration, and I want to be there to support you. Let us all work hard to bring our country together.” At the same time, Trudeau
PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau
said Canadians elected a government that will fight climate change. That means he will keep a national carbon tax in place that has also angered western Canada. In what was supposed to be a concession speech, Scheer said the results showed Trudeau was much weakened since his 2015 election. “Conservatives have put Justin Trudeau on notice,” Scheer said. “And Mr. Trudeau, when your government falls, Conservatives will be ready, and we will win.” Later, at a news conference, Scheer blamed Trudeau for division in the country, accusing him of pitting region against region.
ETHIOPIA WARNS EGYPT OVER DAM
JAPAN HAS ITS 126TH EMPEROR
ADDIS ABABA Associated Press
TOKYO Associated Press
THREE booming cheers of “Banzai!” rang out yesterday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo as Naruhito formally declared his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne as the nation’s 126th emperor. Naruhito pledged at a ritual-laden ceremony to serve as a symbol of the state for his people. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe led the cheers of “Banzai,” which traditionally means “10,000 years.” The ceremony is the high point of several succession rituals that began in May when Naruhito inherited the throne after the abdication of his father Akihito.
JAPAN’s Emperor Naruhito attends a ceremony to proclaim his enthronement at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo yesterday
Impeachment inquiry like a lynching, says president WASHINGTON Associated Press STIRRING up painful memories of America’s racist past, President Donald Trump yesterday compared the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry to a lynching, a practice once widespread across the South in which angry mobs killed thousands of black people. The use of such inflammatory imagery to lash out at the House investigation into Trump’s dealings with Ukraine triggered an outcry from Democratic legislators, some mild rebukes but also some agreement from the president’s Republican allies and condemnation from outside the Washington Beltway. It also led to the unearthing of decades-old comments from some Democratic lawmakers, including now-presidential candidate Joe Biden, comparing the process of impeaching President Bill Clinton to a lynching. Trump has spent recent days
PRESIDENT Trump yesterday pressuring Republicans to give him stronger support in countering the impeachment investigation. His tweeted suggestion that they “remember what they are witnessing here — a lynching” came a day after Trump said the GOP needs to “get tougher and fight” against the fast-moving inquiry into whether he tried to withhold U.S. military aid until Ukraine’s government
agreed to investigate Democrat Joe Biden and his son. The White House said later that Trump was not comparing impeachment to “one of the darkest moments in American history.” Spokesman Hogan Gidley said Trump sent the tweet to point out what he feels is his continued mistreatment by the news media. Trump, who has been complaining about unfairness in the impeachment process being led by House Democrats began his tweet: “So some day, if a Democrat becomes President and the Republicans win the House, even by a tiny margin, they can impeach the President, without due process or fairness or any legal rights.” Fighting back last night, Trump’s reelection campaign tweeted out a 1998 video of then-Sen. Biden talking about President Bill Clinton’s impending impeachment and saying, in part, “History is going to question whether or not this was just a partisan lynching.”
Earlier in the day, Biden referred to Trump’s lynching comparison as “abhorrent” and “despicable.” His Democratic presidential campaign declined to comment on his 1998 statements. Trump’s remark was the latest instance in which he has tried to advance his political interests by unleashing racially inflammatory language. Over the summer, he told four Democratic congresswomen of color to go back to their “broken and crime-infested” countries, although the four are U.S. citizens. Earlier in his presidency, Trump unleashed a firestorm by saying there were “very fine people” on both sides of a 2017 white supremacist rally and counterprotest in Charlottesville, Virginia, that resulted in the death of an anti-racism demonstrator. The reference to a lynching struck a deep, painful chord for black people whose relatives died in racially motivated killings.
ETHIOPIA’S Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister yesterday warned that if there’s a need to go to war over a dam project disputed with Egypt his country could muster millions of people, but he said only negotiation can resolve the current deadlock. Egypt’s government said it was “shocked” by the remarks. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed spoke during a parliament question-andanswer session, his most prominent public appearance since winning the Nobel prize. Today, he and Egyptian President AbdelFattah el-Sissi are expected to meet on the sidelines of a Russia-Africa summit in the Russian city of Sochi. Abiy also defended his Nobel win after some have debated whether he deserved it: “Some individuals are finding it hard to accept about the Nobel Peace Prize. It’s already given to Abiy, and it won’t be taken away from him. That’s it! This is a dead issue! Now our focus should be on how to motivate other youths to win the prize. ” The 43-year-old was awarded the prize for sweeping political reforms and for making peace with longtime rival Eritrea after taking office last year.
CARTER BACK IN HOSPITAL ATLANTA Associated Press
FORMER President Jimmy Carter had another fall at his home in Plains, Georgia, fracturing his pelvis and going to the hospital for treatment and observation, a spokeswoman said yesterday. A spokesman said that the 95-year-old was in good spirits at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center after his third fall in recent months and that he was looking forward to recovering at home.
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