The Tribune

THE story we report on today’s front page is deeply troubling for The Bahamas.

Three people claim they were tortured by police in Eleuthera – with the methods including being bound and beaten, a fish bag put over their heads, hot sauce poured into the eye and even being waterboarded, all in an attempt to force a confession.

This all took place more than a year ago, and the people involved were released. Innocent of the crimes the police arrested them for.

Since then, three of those arrested have made formal complaints to the police – complaints that seemed to fall on deaf ears, with no response from the police in a year. They turned to the courts after no one seemed to take their complaint seriously.

The allegations are horrific and yet - to so many defence lawyers to whom our reporter spoke – unsurprising. Well-known QC Fred Smith says accusations of police beating were “the norm rather than the exception” during his days in criminal law practice, while lawyer Lennox Colbey lamented that despite all the allegations against police, the courts have done little about it. “They just dismiss what these fellas are saying,” he said, “and it can’t be that all of them are lying.”

There are two problems here – first, of course, there is the horrific prospect that you or I or anyone could be picked up by police and subjected to this kind of torture. That three innocent people were reportedly subjected to this treatment is of course appalling, but we must not lose sight of the fact that this behaviour is unacceptable full stop – innocent or guilty.

The second problem is the apparent lack of seriousness with which the police take the claims. This should be treated for what it is – a crime. If a criminal broke into someone’s home and committed this kind of act, it would be treated as an assault, and we would expect the police to respond quickly, not more than a year later and only when we have taken to the courts to find justice for ourselves.

That this is not dealt with more swiftly at the least implies a lack of concern by the police to root out such behaviour; and at worst condones it.

If this kind of treatment is being handed out as routinely as defence lawyers believe – and it follows allegations last week of the father of a kidnapped child being beaten in custody – then it must be taken seriously.

This kind of behaviour is not law enforcement – this is an abuse of human rights, and it must not only stop, but it must be treated as a criminal act. Our police should not be criminals.

Now show us you're worth it, Global

THE decision over the future management of the cruise port in Nassau has been a huge one, and Global Ports has won the approval of the government.

A column in last week’s Tribune described this decision as a “last stand” for Bahamians against the cruise lines, which were also vying for control of the port against Global’s bid. Well, now that Global has won, it is time for it to stand up for Bahamians in return.

This could be the moment that kick-starts a much-needed revolution in Downtown Nassau. We long for a revitalised Downtown and a port that can make tourists feel they are visiting the jewel of the region, not a rundown stopover that many might skip.

This is a crucial moment – and Global will need to forge strong partnerships as it moves ahead with its plans. We fervently hope the government and business community rise to help Global meet the challenge ahead.