The State of Human Rights
In The Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Presentation to Rotary Clubs of Freeport and Lucaya
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Joseph Darville, VP Grand Bahama Human Rights
Association
The
Israelites, the Bible states, wondered forty years in the desert. It’s not that
they were physically lost, for they knew where they were headed, and knew how
to get there. The stars by night and the sun by day were the only GPS they
needed. But woefully, that nation of people was mentally and psychologically lost. Leaving the land
of enslavement, after coming to the realization that as a people of God, they
no longer cherished the ungodly treatment meted out to them. Yet, having subjected themselves for so
long to this bondage, they were infused with the consciousness of enslavement
at the very core of minutest parts of their being. And by Divine grace and a
genetic transformation, they came to realize that no entry into the promised
land was possible until every iota of mental slavery was exorcised from the
very foundation of their being. It could have taken them but a mere sixty days
by foot to reach their physical goal.But as long as forty years
were necessary to wipe out the vestiges of enslavement.
Four
decades, yes, it took them to wipe
clean their minds and hearts, that long, indeed before old habits died
out. Even the great Moses was
never allowed to enter the promised land.
He and the other “old” heads had to die out and take with them the
residual of the consciousness of slavery, for indeed, a consciousness of
enslavement cannot enter the Promise Land.
For
many years too, we were enslaved.
Some one hundred and seventy-five years ago, the physical shackles
tumbled from our ankles and we began our wandering in the desert human reconstruction,
not really knowing who we were or where we wanted to go. But yet, like the Israelites, we knew
intuitively, and our souls cried out in desperation for our promise land. But the sounds and sensation of those damn shackles kept us in mental
bondage. Even now, and after our
forty years of political independence, the curse of enslavement still hangs
around our necks. For fear of retribution, many, too many of us, cling to the
old vestiges of the plantation. Our masters now, only having changed color, and
having elevated themselves to the status of demi-gods, have so fine tuned their
capricious power and control over us, that mental enslavement has become an
art. Thus, our promise land is
nowhere even on the horizon. So my
cry is that we are more enslaved now under our own native leaders than we were
under our white, and sometimes black, slave masters. The, excuse my expression,
the black nigga syndrome of slaving on the plantation, without any notion of our
singular rights, is very much alive in this nation both for black and white.
In
such a state of affairs, one can conclude that the state of human rights in
this nation is defunct, not even in IC, but in rigor mortis, having for too
long under gone the rites of extreme unction (last rites). In fact, we have yet to see the birth
of real freedom in this land. Individually, we are very proud people, and we
love our Bahamaland. However, a
child given a piece of candy, when she deserve a full meal, is also very
happy. Essentially, we
have gotten rid of one set of slave masters and embraced another; and that
“another” is even more pernicious. For when our own, knowledgeable about every
iota of our psyche, enslave us, they do so with even more vengeance, for they
have fine tuned the technique of psychological enslavement as an art. At the rate we going, or really not
moving, we may achieve true freedom and independence by 2041, when I’m 100
years old. In other words, we will take five times longer than it took the
Israelites. I pray I’m still alive to witness that illusive reality.
We
are an independent people, and as such should have the freedom, the right and
ability, even obligation to structure and build one by one our beautiful
communities. We can then become
the envy of the islands, the glory of our nation and the focus of the
world. Our beauty, of both people,
land and sea with their natural and abundant of resources, are all we need to
become all that the Good and Great Creator meant us to be. But we will recognize and accept this
reality only when we are REALLY independent, really free, relying on those
wonderful gifts so bountifully bestowed upon us by our loving Creator.
The
Good and Gracious Creator gives to each and everyone of us all that is
essential, not just for our survival, but enough to prosper and grow together
as wonderful reflection of his glory and power.
First
we recognized what we have been bountifully given, give thanks for it all, and
them work to create a fruitful and enjoyable life for everyone of us. Selfishness, greed and false pride must
be removed from our hearts, and replaced with joy, thanksgiving and the
ultimate gift of unconditional sharing. If our people do not wake up soon, and
very soon, we are all doomed to be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.
Our voices need to be heard and not simply on talk shows, but in practical,
meaningful and dynamic ways. If ever we needed a quiet, peaceful, non-violent
revolution, it is NOW! So fear not; speak and exercise your rights; courageous
spirits gradually become
infectious.
I
encourage my people, especially the young to become educated, informed,
committed and passionate about leading this Commonwealth for years to
come. We are not independent until
our spirits are free and all fear is removed from our hearts! Until then, we
are nothing but slaves in our masters' vineyards, in bondage on the plantation.
When
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment are
meted out to our defenseless citizens, with impunity, even when our constitution
and the UN Declarations of Human Rights, forbids such, we are again embedded in
the plantation syndrome. From the some thirty articles, simple and yet profound,
in the UN declarations and to which our nation is a signatory, some nineteen of
them are contravened and denied on a daily basis in this nation.When our disciplined forces are so
uninformed, or simply calloused, in these matters, brutal and dehumanizing
treatment of our citizenry, as well as those who enter our shores from other
nearby nations, become the norm.
Beating
of suspects by the very ones designated to protect our safety, as if they were
only useless black niggas is carried out with impunity, no accountability; only
when someone actually dies does an
individual family member become sufficiently incensed or is courageous enough to report brutal
and dehumanizing treatment.
But
these reprehensible acts come to light from time to time, as has occurred
recently in the case of the despicable treatment of Cuban national in the
detention centre. Consequently,
our national and international image sank deeper and deeper into the abyss and
the quagmire of ignominy.
Yet
the most sad thing about this matter, in the present STATE OF THE NATION, is that for those who can excuse such
behavior, mistakenly on our behalf, view even the expression of “human rights”
with anger and vengeance. We are
seen as being anti-Bahamas and infidels carrying out treasonous acts against
the state. That my sisters and
brothers, spells out clearly the state of human rights in our nation. Thus, this legitimate arm of any
civilized and democratic society has to be practiced mainly underground for
fear of threats, ridicule and retribution.
Without
even keeping in mind the serious physical actions brought against individuals
in society at the hands law enforcement personnel, the daily life of citizens
of this nation is burdened with a plethora of uncertainties.
One
does not share in the daily decisions which fundamentally affect our lives. Our leaders play the secrecy game,
making decisions which often create havoc, fear and apprehension in the nation. They take umbrage in the fact that
there is no Freedom of Information Act in place. We are thus subjected to the old colonial civil servant
secrecy law, and thus in all matters, confidential or not, we only become aware of them and the consequences of these many decisions
after the fact, when our lives have been seriously impacted.
This
again, is in the order of the old plantation regime, keeping us ignorant, uninformed,
and thus our masters can ride higher and higher on their thrones of
pontification, in the name of “divine right of kings.” We are under the illusion that we live
and operate in a participatory democracy; this is, in fact, a fallacy, and
illusion. The system of democracy
we exercise in this land remains one of psychological enslavement; we daily
obey our maters for fear of retribution.
The
Commission on the reform of our Constitution states the following in reference
to freedom of information:
“
15.11 A corollary of the
right of free speech is the right to have access to public information. The
right of free expression embraces the right to impart and receive information.
Thus it is not surprising that some Constitutions link the right of freedom of information
to that of free speech. Some provide for extensive rights of freedom of information,
such as the South African model, which provides a right of access to information
held by the state (art.32). Others do not elevate it to a constitutional right,
but have adopted freedom of information laws. It would be difficult in a common
law system, where legislation dealing with official secrets, breach of
confidence legislation and the regulations governing the public service still
pertain, to grant a constitutional right to government- held information. But
the Commission is of the view that some form of statutory regime should provide
the citizen with the access to information needed for the proper functioning of
a democracy.”
One
by one, our civic, human and natural rights are denied in so many ways, resulting in many of our
brother and sisters suffering relentlessly. And according to my venerable
friend, and veteran poetic prophet, Etienne Farquharson: we have been shackled
with the 7D’s: disregard, disrespect, deceit, dishonesty, denial, disorder, and
culminating with the seventh D: DAMNATION. These are the modern day shackles inhibiting our way
forward; aware of our fundamental freedom and rights under the constitution and
international protocols, the frustration of enslavement becomes even for
pernicious.
The
contravention of our basic human, civic and social rights are mainly
perpetrated by official agencies of the state. As was stated in the human rights report, recently presently
to the UN in referencing to cruel and dehumanizing treatment of persons:
“The constitution prohibits such
practices, but human rights monitors and members of the public expressed
concern over continued instances of police abuse of criminal suspects. Police
officials, while denying systematic or chronic abuses, acknowledged that police
on occasion abused their authority.
There
were other allegations of police beatings and brutality throughout the year.
The government stated that no official complaints were received in reference to
many of these allegations. Victims' families and community activists claimed
that many officers had their cases thrown out of court or dropped by the
Attorney General's Office. In addition many officers waited years for their
court date, only to return to work without having their names cleared.”
With
the majority of citizens living at the level of subsistence, and many even
below that, too few have the means to fight for, defend or legally afford the
costs to maintain or regain their fundamental rights as citizens in a
democratic society. These abuses will continue unabated until sufficient
numbers of our citizens wake up, realize and accept their individual
freedom. So until then, expect the
carnage to continue, due to ignorance of our national and international rights:
acts which result in the maiming our citizens, even to the finality of death;
desecration, pillage, raping of our environmental heritage by foreign entities,
like what is presently taking place in Bimini; the dispossession of our crown
land generally without our knowledge; the fallacy that our leaders have
infallible rights to do as they please without consultation of the citizenry.
This is the very antithesis of a try and participatory democracy.
Yes,
we do elect leaders every five years, but then, we go into a catatonic state,
mesmerized, hypnotized, seduced by the trickery, deception of our leaders as we
fall prey to their almost despotic rule.
Then again, after five long years we awaken from our slumber. With the enticement of plenty liquor,
money, adorned T-shirts and an abundance of Bahamian food, we become aggressively
passionate again, elect others or the same individuals; then we’re back into
our slumbering state, ruled by our masters, having again reaffirmed their continued
power base of domination. Oh, how
our psyche loves to be ruled; it is indeed so much easier to be ruled, ordered
and subjugated to the will of our masters. They are no longer our servants, but
our indomitable plantation slave masters. And thus continues the regime of
banana republic politics.
My
brothers and sisters, all the acts which undermine our fundamental rights are
the basis of much of the malaise, crime in our nation. A people who have no sense of
ownership, power or participation in the national life are easily led to feed
on and destroy the nation. Thus
the level of murders, the rape and pillage of our women and children. As has been so truthfully stated,
“society prepares the crimes and individuals commit them.”
Did you know that in 2010, the Bahamas
was declared by the United Nation to have the highest per capita in the world
for rape, some 133 in 100,000. And
those are just he reported cases. The way we treat our women and children marks
the manner of our bearing.
Our environmental rights are daily being
eroded in the manner our lands and
seas are offered to the highest bidder, irrespective of the pillage, rape and
devastation which can result. All of this again is carried out in secrecy, and
I’ve already addressed one of your august bodies about the prime example in the
utter and on-going destruction of the beautiful gem in the ocean, Bimini. These are our lands, sea, sea coast and
seabed and they should not be sold, given away, or in any way used unless
benefitting us, the Bahamian people.
By virtue of the stewardship of these islands, we have a serious
responsible to safeguard this heritage patrimony for thousands of generations
to come; it is our right and privilege; and thus a national and fundamental and
individual right.
The
Freedom of Information movement is embedded in Universal Declaration of Human
Rights developed by the United Nations in 1948. The guiding principle is based
upon four freedoms: Freedom of speech; Freedom of religion; Freedom from want;
and Freedom from fear.
In
further expounding on freedom from fear, it states:
“Everyone
has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom
to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart
information and
ideas
through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
If
our people do not wake up soon, and very soon, we will continue to be doomed and
sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. Our voices need to be heard
and not simply on talk shows, but in practical, meaningful and dynamic ways. If
ever we needed a quiet, peaceful, non-violent revolution, it is NOW! We labor
under the calloused burden of unrighteous taxation with, certainly no
representation, but even more so without consultation. Information is power,
and we need to know every fundamental right we should enjoy as a human being,
citizen of this Commonwealth, and actually citizen of the world.
I
encourage more individuals, especially the young, to become educated, informed, committed and passionate about
leading this Commonwealth into the promise land, “God’s Kingdom come on Earth”,
as promised by Jesus Christ. According to His admonition, we are not
independent until our spirits are free and all fear is removed from our hearts!
Until then, we are nothing but slaves in our masters' vineyards. Fear not my sisters and brothers, fear not; do not even fear
fear itself, for then that is still fear!
The
Good and Gracious Creator gives to each and everyone of us all that is
essential, not just for our survival, but enough to prosper and grow together
as wonderful reflection of his glory and power.
About the Author:
Joseph
Darville is a native of Long Island, Bahamas and a resident of
Freeport, Grand Bahama. He is the founding member and past president of
the Bahamas Counselor's Association; past president of the Bahamas
Mental Health Association and the Grand Bahama Mental Health
Association; founding member and past president, and presently
Vice-President, of the Grand Bahama Humane Rights Association; founding
member and presently co-chairman of the Bahamas National Drug Council; a
founding member of the Caribbean Human Rights Network; past VP of the
Caribbean Federation of Mental Health; founding member and chairman of
Operation Hope, [volunteer drug prevention, education &
rehabilitation program]; and an administrative VP of the Freeport YMCA.
Joseph is a past VP of the Bahamas Union of Teachers and taught at the
St. Augustine's College in Nassau as well as at Queens' College, where
he was also a guidance counselor; principal of Grand Bahama Catholic
High School from 1977-1997. He is an advanced master/teacher in Reiki
training, a natural energy healing method, as well as a teacher of
Transcendental Meditation. He has received many awards for outstanding
service and achievement in teaching, communication, and citizenship,
including the 25th year of independence Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Citizen’s Award. He now serves as a director of the Coalition to Save
The Bays, and presently Board Chairman for the Grand Bahama Humane
Society. Joseph is married to Melanie and they have two children, and
two grand children. Joseph can be reached at
jdarville2002@yahoo.com
Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his/her
private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of
TheBahamasWeekly.com