Freeport lawyer and human rights activist Fred Smith expressed his shock over the beating of an American journalist this week at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre in Nassau.
Mr Smith, president of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association, said the incident is but one example of many instances of mistreatment and abuse by Bahamian authorities in general.
He stressed that something must be done to stem the “culture of accepted violence that seems to be developing in the Bahamas.”
A Defence Force officer at the Detention Centre allegedly struck American television reporter Mario Vallejo of South Florida in the face while he was in New Providence covering a story about seven Cubans rescued from Elbow Cay.
It is alleged that a cameraman was also punched in the back during the ordeal.
Mr Smith said that this is not the first time that journalists have been mistreated in the Bahamas.
“Over the last 30 years, from my personal recollection, in particular journalists from The Tribune have often been abused, denied access, and I recall a number of instances where they have been mistreated,” he said.
“And this is another example of journalists being mistreated. There is no excuse – if indeed the officer was acting illegally.”
Mr Smith urged government to look into matter very quickly. He also added that an apology should be issued – whether or not the officer was wrong.
“If the officer was not wrong it doesn’t harm that we have given an apology because it means we are being responsible and we don’t want this thing to blow up.”
Mr Vallejo, who was taken to hospital and treated for injuries, received seven stitches.
While speaking to the Rotary Club of Freeport, Mr Smith said the Bahamas is a part of the global village and must behave responsibly.
“We have to realise that we cannot live in splendid isolation here. This is a journalist that has access to American television that this has happened to, and we keep shooting ourselves in the foot,” he said.
Mr Smith also criticised Prime Minister Perry Chrlstie for remarks he made during the funeral of a prison officer regarding the death penalty.
“It doesn’t help when the Prime Minister goes to the funeral of that poor prison officer and seemingly takes political advantage of that, and calls for the death penalty; and calls for hanging.
It was Mr Smith’s opinion that “that kind of promotion of violent activity will percolate down to the lower ranks. He is the chief executive and he should be calm.”
Mr Smith felt that such a position could possibly “incite violence.”
By DENISE MAYCOCK, Tribune Freeport Reporter
