[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
News : Local Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


GBHRA: Mitchell trying to use fear to stifle free speech
By Fred Smith, QC, President, Grand Bahama Human Rights Association
Aug 12, 2015 - 8:49:39 PM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page
Fred-Smith-QC_1.jpg
(Statement - August 12, 2015) The Grand Bahama Human Rights Association (GBHRA) has noticed of late a disturbing trend in the public pronouncements of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell.

For some reason, Mitchell seems to have become suspicious – perhaps even downright afraid – of the exercise of free speech and open discussion in this society. Especially when he feels the message is potentially critical of himself, his government, or the PLP party in general.

Displays of intolerance by those in power are nothing new; there have been countless examples on both sides of the political divide over the years. That said, I find it personally disappointing to watch Mitchell descend to this regrettable level after having worked with him years ago, when he was a young lawyer fighting for individual rights and freedoms in The Bahamas.

More disturbing than the minister’s recent displays of narrow-mindedness, however, is his apparent choice of tactic with which to attack and stifle free speech – namely, fear.

In an approach familiar to anyone who has lived under an authoritarian dictatorship where individual rights and freedoms are trampled upon by those in power, Mitchell has taken to branding any utterance he objects to a “national security” concern, or some other form of serious threat, then seeking to have law enforcement investigate whomever he feels has offended him.

We saw this recently with his revelation that Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian is “under investigation” in relation to some mysterious complaints about his “conduct in the country”. Ominously vague allegations followed by the threat of official action – here we have the classic dynamic by which, throughout history, tyrants have sought to terrify members of the public into silence.

A few months before, Mitchell’s claimed that by opposing the government’s harsh new immigration policy, the GBHRA and other activists may be actually aiding human smugglers “wittingly or unwittingly”. This, despite the fact that it was the GBHRA which urged more focus on interdicting and arresting smugglers, and less on raiding established communities and terrorizing the occupants – including children – who may or may not be undocumented migrants.

He followed this up by making a public display of reporting a local radio show to the regulators for “investigation”, on the preposterous claim that while appearing as a guest, I had encouraged a revolt against the Christie administration.

Mitchell’s fear tactics were on display yet again this week, in his reaction to a town hall meeting organized by Haitian-Bahamian community group, The Connection.

In his shadowy, provocative reference to the involvement of “certain activists” and his claim that some undisclosed “unfortunate things” were said, the minister clearly sought to paint in a sinister light an event that was completely above board and conducted in the spirit of community and open information sharing. In fact, the chairman of his very own party had been invited to attend and speak, as was the chairman of the opposition FNM, along with representatives of the embassies of the United States and Haiti.

There was nothing whatsoever about the meeting that could be construed as clandestine or tending towards incitement. But it was apparently necessary for Mitchell to paint the event in such a light, in order to justify his claim it should be examined “by the national security people” – textbook thug tactics for silencing free speech.

In point of fact, the meeting was convened to educate members of the Haitian-Bahamian community – not just “non-nationals” as Mitchell claimed – about the laws of The Bahamas, the services various embassies offer, and how to prepare for interaction with an embassy for the purposes of applying for a visa, identity papers, or other documents.

In attendance were many open-minded, tolerant and progressive Bahamians, including veteran rights activist and GBHRA vice president, Joseph Darville. Representatives of the U.S. and Haitian embassies evidently saw the practical value of such an informative and constructive meeting as well. Perhaps Mitchell would like to probe them too.

The GBHRA would respectfully remind the minister that whether he likes it or not, this is still a democratic country and freedom of expression is protected by the constitution of The Bahamas. This hallowed document remains the fundamental guarantee of the rights and freedoms of each and every individual within the geographical territory of The Bahamas.

In the end, Mitchell must know that his fear campaign will amount to nothing – other than inflicting further damage on the reputation of his party, which is rapidly shedding all justification for calling itself as a democratic institution. Young Bahamians in particular have no time for government in secret, strong-arm tactics, lack of respect for the rule of law – all cornerstones of the PLP style of governance.

The GBHRA, along with all other defenders of the constitution, will continue to advocate for the greater recognition of the rights and protections enshrined therein through open discussion, advocacy, and legal action if necessary. We will not be intimidated by base threats and petty saber rattling.

– Fred Smith, QC, president

Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Local
Latest Headlines
72 Foreign Nationals repatriated To Haiti
Haitian Migrants apprehended 
on Sunday
RBDF Searching for possible Haitian Sloops and Migrants 

Update to RBDF coordinated Search and Rescue Mission for Missing Boaters
95 haitian nationals repatriated