According to the flashy supplement in yesterday’s Nassau Guardian, “The Bahamas Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is hosting the 41st Conference of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region of the CPA during the period 22-30 July, 2016. The Conference is being held at the Coral Towers of Atlantis, Paradise Island under the theme “Modernisation: An Essential Element for the Independence of Parliament and the Deepening of Democracy.” More…
Two things caught my eye.
First was the theme. “Modernisation: An Essential Element for the Independence of Parliament and the Deepening of Democracy.”
Guess who one of the keynote speakers from The Bahamas is? Yup, you got it, Mr. Fred Mitchell himself who is yet to present a report on the alleged beatings at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre from 2013 I think it is. How on earth can he speak on deepening democracy?
One can live in hope it’s not just more of the symbolism over substance that this government is so famous for.
The second thing that stood out was a description of “How Laws Are Made”. Their four points follow:
- Identifying Issues And Opportunities: Laws spring from the need to address issues and opportunities that already exist or might arise. Furthermore, laws may spring from the election promises of the governing party.
- Proposals for New Laws/Amendments: Proposals come from a variety of sources - government ministries and departments, non-governmental organisations, the Official Opposition or even individuals. These proposals for new laws can relate to issues across the Bahamian society and economy.
- Stakeholder Consultation: If a proposal for new legislation receives Cabinet approval, the next step involves consulting with experts, interest groups and the people of constituencies and islands likely to be affected by the plans. Often, in the case of very large issues of national impact, interested parties are asked to comment on a ‘green paper’, which gives an introductory outline of the idea. Following consultation, a ‘white paper’ might be produced, giving a more concrete statement of the government’s intentions.
- Proposals are Made Into ‘Bills': Proposals for new laws are sent to the Office of the Attorney General (AG) where the lawyers there turn the instructions of the Cabinet into special forms called “Bills” (with) detailed language that reduces the chance that the intention of the bill may be misinterpreted. The major Bills reflect the policies the government intends to establish in a parliamentary session. They are usually announced in the Speech from the Throne at the opening of each new session (of Parliament).
Anyone that has served on the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Legislation Committee knows that this procedure is never followed and democracy is circumvented at every turn.
The Government only issues a completed Bill then invites select people to review it before ramming it through Parliament. Seldom if ever is anything of consequence amended to reflect reality. And every Bill gives the Minister ultimate power, defeating Democracy again.
Green Papers and White Papers do not exist in The Bahamas any longer. They just might force reasonable public discussions about a Bill and heaven forbid that Parliament should allow that.
Every time public discourse is mounted on a Bill the government corrals them into meetings behind closed doors and silences its critics.
Justis.com outlines the proper procedure here…
Should we expect a deepening of democracy here after this conference?
Don’t hold your breath.
