Mr. Fred Mitchell, shortly after you won the seat you contested in the last General Elections, I ran into you on the street and told you that that was the worst thing that could happen. I explained that you were more valuable to this country as a human rights and political activist rather than an MP. Your performance and attitude since then have only confirmed my fears.
I cannot recall the last time I heard you speak out for the human rights of BAHAMIANS or for other issues that you were so passionate about prior to May, 2002. In all of your travels on behalf of the BAHAMIAN people, you seem to care and advocate more for any group that is NOT Bahamian. I remind you and all of your colleagues that you were put in power by Bahamians, for Bahamians. As a Black Bahamian and the father of two young boys, I am both disappointed in and repulsed by your attitude and actions in this regard.
Of late, you are bent on getting this country to commit to the CSME. Based on what I have written above and the experiences I have had over the past three years, I say that anything you or the current administration propose needs to be rejected outright or put under thorough scrutiny by the Bahamian public. We are being pressured to enter into new agreements when we are not even enforcing ones that are already in place. In the end, it is the Bahamian on the street, not the lawyer/politician, pastor and other special interest groups, who suffers.
Recently, you have attempted to address our concerns about the free movement of labour. You flippantly say that we already have the largest number of Caribbean workers in this country, adding that “all work permits are granted”. That comment brings me to the subject of this letter. How could you in your right mind make such a statement then expect the Bahamian public to accept CSME, FTAA or any other agreement you put before us? How many such agreements have been in effect for decades now yet go without being enforced? Your comment on work permits only confirms this even more. We are signatories to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights of the United Nations. Do you remember that one? As a champion for Bahamians in your better days, you certainly used it a lot. Well, I have yet to see or hear you do or say anything about the blatant human rights abuses meted out on BAHAMIANS on a daily basis. We also signed on to the Convention on Discrimination of the International Labour Organization. No enforcement yet. What about our Labour Law, which makes discrimination a crime? And that glorified toilet paper we call a Constitution? It says discrimination is illegal. Again, no action for, protection or consideration of the BAHAMIAN worker or citizen.
I continually use myself as an example, lest you and your cohorts cry ignorance. I am a highly educated, skilled and experienced Black Bahamian citizen by birth. I have followed the correct path (according to your government and all those prior, post Minority Rule), yet I am now into a third year of continued unemployment. My rights have been violated, maligned, desecrated and defecated on on so many a level. I have approached the Minister of Labour and Immigration, been approached by the Minister of Financial Services, made requests to the Attorney General and even appealed to the Prime Minister himself. Remember now, we are talking about elected and appointed officials whose SOLE mandate and focus is the protection of the BAHAMIAN electorate who put them there. And, let us not forget that we have committed ourselves, through national and international pronouncements and agreements, to act in accordance with the same. All of this considered, I have yet to have any of the aforementioned individuals even feign interest in my cases or a commitment to me under these very pronouncements and agreements.
You, Sir, have referred to me as a “political hot potato” and have suggested that I need to “go sell insurance”. Firstly, I reiterate that I am apolitical. I have never had, do not have and have no intention of aligning myself with ANY political party in this country. My sole concern is for the protection, welfare and betterment of the BAHAMIAN people. Secondly, like you, I am a professional. I have invested heavily and for a long time in my academic and professional preparation. I offer my services as a trained diplomat to our country and, in response, I am insulted by your nonchalant suggestion that I “sell insurance”. Would you, as a lawyer turned politician, make an abrupt switch NOW to being, say, a fisherman? With sincerest respect for insurance salespeople, fishermen and all legitimate workers, how could you in your right mind make such a demeaning proposal? To boot, you fail to address the REAL issue: that you and your government have failed to uphold your obligation to BAHAMIANS under the aforementioned pronouncements and agreements.
Charity begins at home. You have failed and continue to fail the Bahamian public at large. I don’t think you have children or have been subjected to dehumanizing and illegal treatment in your own country, much less gone almost three years without income. That is my fate, Sir. Alas, I am not alone or unique. I have said goodbye to friends who have packed up for greener pastures abroad. I speak to students and younger workers on a daily basis. Their outlook is not what you represent to the people through ZNS. I have always had my hands on the pulse of the Bahamian public. General Elections are “tomorrow”. All indications are that neither you nor your government will be given a second mandate. My situation cannot wait until then. There is work to be done.
Sincerely,
Leslie Moss
