Discriminatory bill must be resisted

Dear Editor,

Human Rights Bahamas applauds former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest for expressing their strong opposition to the Fisheries Bill, which, if passed, would discriminate against the foreign husbands of Bahamian women, barring them from employment in the fishing industry.

This is a regressive and discriminatory bill which must be resisted by all right-thinking citizens. Bahamian women are already discriminated against on so many levels, both socially and under the law. To add this further burden upon them by stigmatising, excluding and restricting the employment of their spouses, who happen to be foreign, is absolutely unconscionable.

Currently, individuals on spousal permits have an unrestricted right to work in The Bahamas. This should under no circumstances change. In line with its election promises, this government should in fact be working to abolish the shameful discrimination already visited upon Bahamian women, not adding further to their burden.

It is not the administration’s job to pander to a self-interested crowd. Indeed, it is frightening to contemplate in light of this bill what other human rights travesties they may be willing to approve, if lobbied by the right vested interests. If the fishing industry is allowed to trample upon the principle of equal treatment for all in this way, what is to stop other sectors from doing the same?

Yes, marriages of convenience do happen, but it is the job of the immigration department to detect and deal with these cases.

Yes, illegal fishing practices do take place, but it is the job of the police and the courts to enforce the law.

Certainly, Bahamian women should not and cannot be punished for the failure of officials to do their job, and our government should not be encouraging the already alarming witch hunt mentality against foreigners, just to cover up their own administrative shortcomings.

The fundamental human rights enshrined in our constitution – including the right to be free from discrimination – are non-negotiable.

We cry shame on the government for even contemplating this travesty and call for the immediate removal of the offending provision from the bill.

— Human Rights Bahamas

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