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Last Updated: Nov 20, 2019 - 12:15:08 AM |
Group denounces slander as attempt to discredit, intimidate and deter human rights defenders
(Statement) It has come to our attention that a post containing malicious, slanderous and despicable lies about Rights Bahamas’ executives has been circulated on social media. We are actively seeking to identify the coward hiding behind the fake profile from which these falsehoods originated, with a view to filing a libel lawsuit against that unfortunate individual immediately.
For the record, no executive of Rights Bahamas supports, condones or has ever been involved in the illegal activities alleged in that shameful post. We denounce such spineless attempts to stoke the fires of hatred and damage people’s names by anonymous online trolls who are afraid to speak in the open.
Such lies are born out of cowardice, hatred and fear. They are designed to intimidate human rights workers and deter them from carrying out their work. The inclusion of photographs of two of our senior executives is particularly reprehensible. It is a clear and incontrovertible attempt to severely damage their reputation and they will be seeking appropriate redress through the courts.
Members of the public are also warned that the act of sharing such a post also makes one guilty of libel, and we are collecting names with a view to taking legal action accordingly. We also remind the authorities that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights mandated the they make the Bahamas a place where human rights advocates can safely live and pursue their work without fear of interference.
Lies and intimidation are the hallmark tools of hate mongers and oppressors. Luckily, Rights Bahamas is not so easily swayed. Our members and executive will continue to fight for equality of access to fundamental rights and freedoms for all who live in, visit or pass through this jurisdiction.
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