NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Citizens for Justice Chairman Bishop Walter Hanchell has again renewed calls for capital punishment to resume in The Bahamas, noting the lives of women are being “snatched away in The Bahamas along with other innocent victims.
This week, a woman and her eight-year-old daughter were murdered on the heels of seven-year-old Reyes Williams being murdered in a drive-by shooting.
Both incidents occurred in Nassau Village.
Hanchell said the organization is outraged at the level of murders and violent crime in The Bahamas and capital punishment must be reinstituted and enforced or removed from the law.
“The recent spate of murders in the nation has caused serious concerns,” he said.
“While we commend Commissioner Paul Rolle and his fine officers for great policing, we must take the correct measures in order to reduce murders.
“As a result of the negative social effects of COVID-19, there appears to be an increase in domestic violence and violent crime.
Hanchell expressed concern about the number of people charged with serious crimes who remain on bail, and the timeframe for cases to be heard.
He also underscored the long process of appeal after a conviction.
Hanchell also pointed out that the prime minister and minister of national security support capital punishment.
There has not been an execution in The Bahamas since David Mitchell was executed on January 6, 2000.
He was hanged after killing two German tourists.
“All death sentences since then have been commuted because of the Privy Council’s philosophical objection to capital punishment,” wrote Hanchell, insisting that unless the government passes legislation that could prevent the Privy Council from ruling against capital punishment of convicted murderers the measure will never be carried out.
“Thugs will continue to take innocent lives knowing that they will face no real consequences for their evil.
“It is our view that the biblical basis for capital punishment must be followed. It is God who established moral laws to govern us. The Bible is clear on the death penalty and unless and until we follow the laws of God, the senseless murders will continue. The carnage must stop, however.
“We must do what is necessary as a people to address the issue of murders, violent crime, and illegal guns.
“Again, we appeal to our lawmakers to amend our laws to ensure that there be no impediments at the Privy Council when ruling on murder cases.
“We also call on legislators to greatly increase the penalties for armed robberies, possession of illegal firearms, and for all violent crimes, including rape.”
Ultimately, Hanchell said God established capital punishment “for the protection of society and remove the offender from society” as no man has the right to take another man’s life, except in self-defense or during war.
Capital punishment was established by God for the protection of society and to remove the offender from society. Human life is sacred and no man has the right to take another man’s life except in self-defense or during a war. We are convinced that the culture of murder will not change in the Bahamas until capital punishment is carried out according to the Constitution of the Bahamas and the laws of God.
“Proponents against capital punishment, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, the European Union, and human rights activists are all on the wrong side of the supreme laws of God with regards to capital punishment and will one day stand guilty before God for this grievous error,” the bishop added.
“This includes politicians around the globe, who know better, yet prefer to be politically correct, while at the same time, rejecting the truth of God’s word.”
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