The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The leaders of this country are heading in a very dangerous direction. Before World War 11 Germany had a weak leadership and Hitler was able to take control. What followed ended with worldwide destruction. In the Bahamas, our democratic system is coming under great pressure and unless we are careful, it will be replaced by a dictatorship.

Our laws are obeyed only when it is in our interest to do so. I will give you a couple of examples:

1) The Public disclosure act was designed to ensure that those who entered public life must disclose their financials each year, this has not been done for years. There is a penalty for those who fail to disclose, but this has not been enforced.

2) There is a provision in our constitution, which says that the government cannot acquire private property for a public purpose unless the owner is adequately compensated.

In both of these cases, the Prime Minister of the country is responsible for ensuring that these laws are enforced. He has failed to do so.

After the 2017 General Elections several PLPs were charged with several fraud related matters. Among them was Kendred Dorsett – for disclosure purposes, Mr Dorsett is my godchild.

July 13th, 2017 he was arrested and carried before the court with chains around his legs after being charged, he was taken back to the police station where he was held. While being held he asked to use the bathroom, but was told he could not. You can imagine how embarrassing this must have been.

On the July 14th, 2017, he was granted bail after a relative provided a document for property to secure the bond. This relative cannot dispose of this property while this matter is pending even if there is a need to do so.

Mr Dorsett, who is an attorney, cannot practice in his profession to provide for his family.

We are beginning the campaign for the next general election and there is no indication as to when this matter will be dealt with. Justice delayed is justice denied.

I would like to ask the Hon AD Hanna and Sir Arthur Foulkes who fought along with me and others in the 1950s and 1960s if this is the kind of freedom we were hoping to achieve? Did they expect it to become dictatorships like Venezuela in South America, Myanmar in Asia or countries in Northern Europe?

You may think we have an incompetent authority, but what we have is a dictator and a weak opposition.

A LOFTUS ROKER

Nassau,

March 24, 2021.