分类： society

The tragic killing of Lauren Saunders, a seven-month pregnant mother-of-two, has ignited a fierce debate over Bahamian law’s treatment of unborn children. While public outrage has surged, with demands for dual murder charges—one for Saunders and another for her unborn baby—National Security Minister Wayne Munroe clarified that Bahamian law does not classify a foetus as a separate life under the murder statute. Consequently, the death of an unborn child cannot be prosecuted as murder. Munroe explained that murder charges apply only to individuals with independent circulation, while the death of a foetus is legally treated as abortion. This distinction has raised questions, given that The Bahamas criminalises abortion in nearly all circumstances yet fails to recognise the violent killing of an unborn child as a distinct offence. Saunders went missing on Sunday after leaving work early, prompting an islandwide search. Her partially decomposed body was discovered in bushes off Munnings Road on Wednesday, with officials awaiting autopsy results to confirm the cause of death. A suspect has been in custody for three days, but no charges have been filed. Munroe noted that legal changes to classify the killing of an unborn child as murder could have far-reaching implications, potentially criminalising medical terminations. He emphasised that such a shift would require charging anyone who terminates a foetus, including doctors, with murder. This stance contrasts with jurisdictions like the United States, where the Unborn Victims of Violence Act allows separate charges for the death of a foetus. Nearly 40 U.S. states have foetal homicide laws, and countries like Australia’s Queensland and El Salvador also criminalise the unlawful killing of unborn children as distinct offences.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has firmly distanced himself from the escalating Junkanoo dispute, emphasizing, “Don’t bring me into it,” as the government races to finalize parade plans just weeks before the season kicks off. During a meeting with Junkanoo Corporation New Providence (JCNP) chairman Dion Miller last Friday, Mr. Davis clarified that he has delegated the matter to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC). “I’m not involved in that at all because they accuse the matter of being political, and so don’t bring me into it. I’ve directed the Minister of Youth and Sports and the NJC, they are dealing with it, and I’m leaving it to them,” he stated. Despite his efforts to remain neutral, critics argue that the government is sidelining the JCNP due to its unfavorable stance toward the Prime Minister’s brother, Trevor Davis, in a dispute over the rightful claim to the Valley Boys group. The controversy deepened as JCNP officials convened Wednesday night to discuss the Prime Minister’s meeting and chart a path forward. JCNP public relations officer John Williams revealed that while Mr. Davis expressed a desire for resolution, he offered no direct intervention. “It’s very late,” Mr. Williams lamented. “It’s November, essentially, and we had to come up with a plan and a course of action. It’s action time. So we just have to do what we have to do.” He added that member groups were dissatisfied with the meeting’s outcome and expressed exhaustion over the prolonged feud. “I think everybody is just tired at this point. Just tired of the back and forth and going through all of this. We’ve never been through this sort of thing before,” he said. Ten major Junkanoo groups, including One Family, Saxons, Roots, The Valley Boys, and The Mighty Eagles, have rallied behind the JCNP. Roots chairman Duane Ellis voiced his frustration, stating that his group would only participate in a parade managed by the JCNP. “My frustration as a junkanooer is that by now, I thought both sides would come to some mutual agreement for the betterment of Junkanoo and not personalities,” he said. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Perry Christie expressed hope for a timely resolution, emphasizing the unifying power of Junkanoo. “It is always a regret when Junkanoo and culture are subjected to division because it’s the one area in the country which should unite people,” he said. “I’m hopeful, therefore, that the minister and all that he’s doing will be successful in ensuring that Junkanoo reigns supreme.”

A dramatic escalation in rental prices has triggered a significant increase in the demand for emergency shelter assistance in New Providence, according to Social Services officials. Chief Social Worker Deborah Smith, who manages shelter operations, highlighted that many families are being displaced due to sudden and substantial rent hikes, often amounting to hundreds of dollars within weeks. Smith noted that tenants are struggling to cope with these abrupt increases, leading to a surge in requests for emergency housing. Housing Minister Keith Bell has also raised concerns, citing reports of rent increases exceeding $500. He revealed that draft legislation is being finalized to better balance the rights of landlords and tenants before the end of the current term. Currently, there are 123 shelter spaces available, but demand far exceeds supply. Smith explained that shelter occupancy is in constant flux, with new cases being logged continuously. Social Services Minister Myles Laroda announced plans to rent two additional facilities to address the growing number of displaced residents. The issue gained widespread attention after Ameca Ford McKenzie, a mother of two autistic sons, shared her experience of being forced to sleep in her car due to unpaid rent. She later received assistance from the Coalition of Independents and other supporters. While shelter stays are typically limited to two weeks, extensions are often granted for vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women and Family Island residents in Nassau for medical treatment. However, some residents refuse to leave after their time expires, as seen in the recent dispute at Poinciana Inn, which is now under judicial review. Smith emphasized that officials work with residents to develop exit plans, but the weakening of family support networks has exacerbated the crisis. ‘Many people are homeless, but they won’t come forward until you encounter them and hear their stories,’ she said.