FREE National Movement deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright.
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright defended the Bahamian judiciary after a Caribbean leader launched a high-profile attack on the institution.
St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves lambasted Caribbean judges for granting bail to people charged with murder during a CARICOM symposium on violence on Tuesday in Trinidad and Tobago.
He said: “I saw in the numbers from The Bahamas. Where (do) those judges live? On Mars?”
Mr Cartwright disapproved of the comments.
He said in a statement yesterday: “The recent comments by St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, criticising Bahamian judges at the CARICOM’s Regional Symposium to address crime and violence as a Public Health Issue are unfortunate and irresponsible.
“The criticism levelled at the Bahamian judiciary was unwarranted, lacked consideration and acknowledgement of the fundamental constitutional protections and presumption of innocence afforded citizens of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas as is the case in other Caribbean nations.”
While acknowledging the need for judicial reform, the FNM Deputy Leader said Prime Minister Gonsalves’ comments undermined the efforts of Bahamian judges.
“Though there has been a reasonable and widely accepted argument for the need for judicial reform across the region to address the increase in crime his comments unjustifiably undermine the outstanding efforts and commitment of Bahamian judges to carry out their constitutional duty,” he said.
“Notwithstanding the challenges we face in our region we must continue to move with an optimism, diligence and resolve on the crime front. We should remain hopeful that our collective will, anchored by strategic national, regional partnerships and multilateral alliances will lead to a more peaceful and secure Caribbean region for all our people.”
Local attorney Bjorn Ferguson also criticised Mr Gonsalves’ comments, saying people should be more prudent when discussing the judiciary.
Mr Ferguson stressed that each situation in which a person is granted bail is unique.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 6 months ago
This from the parliamentarian who when accused of abusing the procurement process at beaches and parks said ~"come on, we all know how govt contract awards work", fake outrage
DonAnthony 1 year, 6 months ago
Gonsalves was spot on in his assessment. While crime is a multi dimensional problem and a failure on many fronts, chief among them is a disfunctional Bahamian judiciary. How many times do we see a person on bail charged with another violent crime before the courts and granted bail again? I wonder if these judges live in the Bahamas, they seem to have little sensitivity for the safety of the Bahamian people. Then at the same time they hand out draconian sentences for the most menial offenses and give a slap on the wrist to our most violent offenders. We need a massive overhaul of our judiciary.
birdiestrachan 1 year, 6 months ago
Where was Cartwright when doc Minnis went all over the world calling the Bahamas corrupt , ..?.. what this man says is not as bad as what Mr, Minnis said, about his own country
SP 1 year, 6 months ago
The FNM sold out the country by creating the bail-for-murder laws and the Bahamas to get one of their Lyford Cay supporters out of jail for a murder conviction!
Why we cannot reverse a bad law is a mystery.
bahamianson 1 year, 6 months ago
It is the truth.
Topdude 1 year, 6 months ago
Gonsalves needs to mind his own business.
SP 1 year, 6 months ago
Too many people "minding their own business" in the Bahamas now is the main reason these corrupt politicians continue getting away with destroying our country and getting compensated for doing so!
Commenting has been disabled for this item.