分类： society

An 86-year-old resident of Christ Church, Brian Chester, has been rendered homeless after High Court marshals demolished the house he had occupied for 30 years. Chester, represented by attorney Lalu Hanuman, had sought to purchase the land under the Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act, a 1979 law designed to enable former plantation tenants to own the land they occupied. Despite his urgent application to the High Court for a stay of the eviction and demolition order, Justice Patrick Wells rejected the request, leading to the destruction of Chester’s home on Wednesday, earlier than the scheduled Friday. Chester is now staying with a friend. The legal battle involved a US-based landowner, Barry Clarke, represented by attorney Branford McGline Taitt, the Chief Marshal, and the Attorney General. Chester claimed that the landlord had violated the Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act by failing to facilitate his purchase of the land since his application in June 2016. He also sought reimbursement for land rent paid since then. Chester argued that the absence of a Small Holdings Committee, which should handle such disputes, contributed to the unresolved matter. He requested the court to declare the land conveyed to him, reimburse his ground rent, and find the Attorney General negligent for failing to establish the committee.

Faith leaders have raised concerns over the increasing prevalence of fatherless households and family breakdowns across the Caribbean, attributing the trend to shifting social attitudes, women’s growing independence, and the erosion of traditional family values. Speaking at a press conference hosted by the faith-based organization Family Faith Freedom Barbados (FFFB) at the First Baptist Church, religious figures highlighted the complex interplay between social progress and its unintended consequences on family dynamics.

Mikhail Raschid Bradshaw, a 29-year-old resident of Workmans, St George, has been remanded to Dodds Prison after a brief court appearance in Bridgetown on Thursday. Bradshaw appeared before Magistrate Manila Renee in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, where he faced charges related to the murder of 31-year-old Akil Hinds on October 6. Notably, Bradshaw was not required to enter a plea during this initial hearing. In addition to the murder charge, he is also accused of using a firearm to commit the indictable offense. The case has since been transferred to the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, with proceedings set to resume on November 24. Bradshaw was represented by attorney Sian Lange during the hearing.

At the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, Barbados reiterated its dedication to fostering fairness, inclusion, and decent work. Minister of Labour, Social Security, and Third Sector, Colin Jordan, delivered the nation’s statement, emphasizing that progress is a deliberate effort achieved through collective learning, work, participation, and a sense of belonging. Jordan endorsed the Doha Political Declaration, which expands on the 1995 Copenhagen Summit’s vision by integrating poverty eradication, full employment, and social inclusion as interconnected objectives. He spotlighted Barbados’ Social Partnership, a collaborative framework involving the government, trade unions, and employers, which has driven significant policy advancements. These include the introduction of a national minimum wage in 2021 and enhanced worker protections through government programs and procurement. The minister also detailed recent legislative reforms, such as the Child Protection Act 2024, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2025, and initiatives supporting families, including paid paternity leave and extended maternity leave. Additionally, Barbados has prioritized elder rights through the National Policy on Ageing 2023–2028 and new care legislation. Jordan cautioned that these achievements are threatened by global instability and conflict, urging a revitalization of the multilateral system. He also highlighted the climate crisis as a pressing reality for Caribbean nations, supporting Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s Bridgetown Initiative to reform international financial structures. Concluding his address, Jordan reaffirmed Barbados’ commitment to human dignity and social justice, stating, ‘We recommit to a human-centred approach to development.’