The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance leader Branville McCartney yesterday said that if the government cannot uphold the rule of law and protect the country’s citizens, it ought to be removed.

The former parliamentarian called on the PLP on “live up” to what it said in it’s Charter of Governance about reducing crime and violence during last year’s election campaign.

“The fundamental principle of governance is the protection of its citizens and upholding the rule of law. If a government cannot apply this principle effectively it ought to be removed,” Mr McCartney said in a statement.

“There is no doubt that the Bahamas, New Providence in particular, is one of the top-ranking countries in the world for crime. This island, 21 by 7, has one of the highest per capita rape, arm robberies, and murder statistics in the world. Put simply, this country is not safe. We have callous, mean spirited persons wreaking havoc on this country of ours. As a result, law-abiding citizens are forced to live in fear.

“Yes Bahamas… we live in paradise but we are paralysed by fear,” McCartney said.

The former MP for Bamboo Town noted that crime was heavily politicised during the 2007 and 2012 general elections, with the Free National Movement and the Progressive Liberal Party blaming each other.

“The fact of the matter is that crime is not political. It becomes political when political parties and their leaders fail to have the political will to carry out its fundamental principle of governance and that is the protection of its citizens and upholding the rule of law,” he said.

Mr McCartney said regardless of political persuasion, citizens would agree that they are not well protected against the criminal element. “As a result, criminally minded persons do not fear the law and continue to wreak havoc on our beloved country. This cannot be right. This must stop,” he said.

He noted that the PLP, during last year’s election campaign, persuaded the Bahamian people that they would deal with crime, that they had the answers to the crime problem in the Bahamas and that they should be given a chance to rectify this situation.

“This, coupled with the promise of 10,000 jobs was instrumental in bringing the PLP once again to power. Need I say a promise is a comfort to a fool?

“I am not sure if the PLP is aware but we are now 10 months since the general election. ‘Day one’ has long gone and crime and violence, social disorder and decay are still at unprecedented levels.

“The Democratic National Alliance is asking the government of the Bahamas to carry out its fundamental duty of governance and protect its citizens from the criminals of this country. The DNA is asking the government to get tough on crime!

“We are asking for a disciplined society where law and order is the norm and not the exception,” he said.

Mr McCartney said the DNA believes there is need for radical action to reform the criminal justice system.

“This process begins when the police force is free from ministerial control (the Commissioner of Police having security of tenure) and is more accountable to the public whom it serves.

“There must be enforcement of the law without political interference. The government must support the advancement and the strengthening of the Bahamian criminal justice system to ensure that it works effectively and efficiently, he said.

“The DNA calls on the government to establish a National Intelligence Consortium and Agency to develop policies and procedures related to the functions, responsibilities and oversight arrangements for the intelligence systems that will inform government decisions making on strategic policy issues.

“We ask that the PLP government mandate that the Office of the Attorney General organise and deploy teams of prosecutors to qualitatively assess the viability of all existing charges before the court and new matters coming into the system.

“Appoint more judges. Build public trust and confidence in the justice system by addressing the issues of adequacy of resources and participants necessary to ensure that there is adherence to the rule of law.

“Treat the judicial branch of governance, in all respects, as an independent entity.

“It is necessary that the PLP create a victims’ ombudsman, separate and independent of the police and the prosecution departments, who will offer victims independent advice and representation if needed.

“The PLP should develop a comprehensive system to rehabilitate offenders, inclusive of academic programmes and work readiness and skills building programmes.

“We in the DNA think it is incumbent on the PLP to assemble the best minds in the Bahamas to create and establish programmes to detour young people, particularly young men, from deviant behaviour, programmes that will encourage them to actively pursue productive lifestyle building activities. Urban Renewal 2.0 is not sufficient.

“Indeed, the issue of capital punishment must be addressed. The PLP must ensure that capital punishment is enforced against all murderers and those accused of murder are not granted bail,” Mr McCartney said.