The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

WITH less than a week left before the June 7 referendum on gender equality, prominent Freeport attorney and human rights activist Fred Smith, QC, is urging Bahamians to end discrimination between men and women in The Bahamas by voting “yes” to all four referendum questions.

“We should take whatever steps we can at every opportunity to cut back discrimination even if it does not deal with all discrimination,” he said on Wednesday at an International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) meeting in Freeport.

“To the extent that the bills end any part of the institutionalised constitutional framework of discrimination that exists, I urge you all to vote yes.”

Mr Smith, president of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association, said the association stands against discrimination.

The attorney said Bahamians will again have “an opportunity of a lifetime” on June 7 to make men and women equal under the law.

“This is an opportunity which does not come every five years, or every ten years, or even every 15 years. The last time we had this opportunity was in 2002. Let us please not waste it again. I urge all of you to take advantage of it,” he said.

The outspoken QC said the referendum is chance to correct 43 years of inequality and unfairness, injustice, and of wrongs to “our women, families, mothers, our significant others, our sweethearts, our partners, our sisters, our daughters, and our wives.”

Pointing out that while the drafting of the bill has not been perfect, Mr Smith said that the many different views and comments expressed demonstrates the beauty of democracy.

“Many persons have made valid criticisms; valid comments; pointed out different interpretations; suggested changes. But at the end of the day, on June 7, please remember, that this is very simple; the four bills make men and women equal under the law,” he explained.

Mr Smith said that legal arguments will continue whether or not the bills are passed.

He noted that there are so many different groups or persons, all of whom are entitled to respect, and who feel that for one reason or another, the bills either go too far or do not go far enough.

“But the one simple point that we must not lose sight of is that the bills simply reduce discrimination and make men and women equal under the law. There is no argument against that simple point,” he said.

“Of course, the bills could have been drafted more carefully; or the bills could have taken different issues into account; or the bills may have left certain things out of account; or yes it’s true we could have voted for this same equality in 2002.

“But at the end of the day, on June 7, we are presented with a unique opportunity to cast our vote, to say ‘yes’.”

Mr Smith said the Constitution should be a living, breathing, organic document, which evolves as society changes.

“Yes even after the referendum, after June 7, 2016, there will still be work to do; fight other forms of discrimination; and to live and breathe fairness, justice and equality for all into our Constitution,” he said.

Mr Smith said the referendum is not a political trick.

“Just because the bills may not be perfect doesn’t mean we should not seize this opportunity to reduce and end discrimination in any way that we can in The Bahamas,” he said.