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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 The overwhelming rejection of today’s referendum bills is firstly an example of the strength of our democracy. Even in cases where individuals reportedly faced difficulties in casting their ballots, Bahamians across the country were not sidetracked in their determination to make their voices heard. And heard they were. Secondly, the overwhelming NO VOTE was also a rejection of this Christie administration and is undoubtedly a foreshadowing of the result this lackluster government can expect at the polls come 2017. The results notwithstanding, this is not a time for gloating.
More importantly however, the results of the gender equality referendum present us with a unique opportunity to finally pay real attention to key issues affecting the country’s immigration policy. Plagued by corruption, ineffectiveness and a lack of political will on the part of the country’s leadership; issues of illegal migration, statelessness and shanty towns, the country’s stand on immigration have all but tarnished the country’s human rights reputation on the world stage and has generally left much to be desired. Rather than go down the road of what was clearly a costly and misguided attempt by the PLP to address those policy concerns via the gender equality referendum, the government of the Bahamas must take definitive action that can result in both short and long term benefits for the entire citizenry.
As the next government of the Bahamas, the Democratic National Alliance pledges to do exactly that. Through the saving provisions of Article 13 of the Constitution, the DNA will bring to Parliament, legislation which would have the same impact of the Bills 1 and 3. Under Article 13, Parliament is given the power to grant citizenship to individuals who would not ordinarily automatically qualify by virtue of the stipulations within that Chapter of the Constitution. Simply put, Parliament would be able to ensure that the children who are the product of a Bahamian mother or father will be granted citizenship even if their other parent is a non-national.
This Act of Parliament by the Democratic National Alliance would also finally address the long-standing issue of statelessness for scores of individuals currently entitled to Bahamian citizenship under the law. For far too long, such individuals have lived among us, but have been far removed from us, unable to contribute in meaningful ways to the development of our economy, and our country. Unable to open bank accounts or even have access to affordable tertiary education, these individuals have essentially been disenfranchised as a result of the government’s failure to honor their constitutional entitlement. Not only is regularizing such individuals the right thing to do, but it will finally clear the immense backlog of cases within the Department of Immigration ushering in a new era of efficiency and productivity.
On the issue of spousal rights to citizenship, the DNA proposes that the current laws allowing men to pass citizenship on to their non-Bahamian wives be repealed and any and all considerations of citizenship given to the foreign spouse of a Bahamian be subject to the stipulations in the Immigration Act. We believe wholeheartedly that citizenship is not a gift to be granted lightly. As a society, we welcome persons from other cultures whose intent is to lend their skills and talents to the furtherance and betterment of this country. However we must be wary of those who seek to thwart the country’s immigration policies by marrying for convenience. By levelling the playing field in this way we ensure that individuals receiving Bahamian citizenship earn it.
With the mistakes of this failed referendum now behind us, WE, the government and people of this great country must see an effective new policy be born from the ashes. The DNA is the government to both plan and execute that new policy with a view to bringing real parity to matters of citizenship.
Branville McCartney
DNA Leader
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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