3rd November, 2009

…on the Juvenile Court in Grand Bahama

It has come to my attention that the Juvenile Court in Eight Mile Rock was unable to sit this morning.  Allegations are that members of the newly appointed Panel were not available to the court due to meetings and preparations for a major political meeting to be held in New Providence this week. It is reported to me that this excuse was actually given in the court as to why the panel could not meet.
 
This is a source of serious concern for me as the Opposition Spokesperson on Social Services, as justice for children must be done and must be seen to be done in an expeditious manner.  It is also most unusual that politics would seem to interfere with the ability to dispense justice.  Something seems to have gone wrong if the appointments to the panel appear to be too political.
 
The Attorney General and the Minister of Labour & Social Development need to investigate these allegations immediately and provide public answers to the issues raised.
 
If the allegations are true, this one-sided approach to appointments to public boards and committees is totally unacceptable in the modern Bahamas and this incident would demonstrate that it is indeed counter-productive.
 
Members of the Juvenile Panel should note that once they commit themselves to serve on the Panel that work, which impacts the lives of our children, should be of the utmost priority to them.