Hanna-Martin: Extension of emergency orders is “abusive”

Hanna-Martin: Extension of emergency orders is “abusive”
Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin (file photo)

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin said yesterday she does not support an extension of the emergency orders to October 31, noting the prime minister has not sufficiently justified a continued infringement of constitutional rights.

“I do not see the rationale or the reason that he wants to extend it,” Hanna-Martin told Eyewitness News.

“To do what and for what purpose? When you look at the curfew in this country, what is the purpose of the curfew? The entire economy is open basically except for the tourism economy and one or two little areas. The entire economy is open, but you still have a curfew at [10pm], why?

“I am very suspect now of what the prime minister is engaging in with our constitution and certainly it is not rationale. I don’t see where it is justified and he has not made a case. You need to suspend constitutional freedoms and rights to do what? It’s not rationale.”

Hanna-Martin said the extension represents an “exercise in control of the Bahamian people and in my view it is abusive.”

The extension of the emergency orders would authorize for the competent authority — the prime minister — to continue existing emergency measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.

These include the curfews, closure of prohibited establishments and other restrictions and health guidelines.

The existing orders will come to an end on September 30.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis tabled the resolution and advised Parliament that it will be debated at the next sitting.

The prime minister urged Bahamians and residents to sacrifice for three more weeks to help further the downward trend of COVID-19 cases, particularly in New Providence.

The House is slated to meet next week Wednesday.

There have been mixed reactions to the extension.

Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said yesterday he will not support an extension of the emergency orders for another month, and called on the return of parliamentary democracy where legislators and the people whom they represent can determine the way forward.

The governor general made the initial proclamation of a public state of emergency in The Bahamas on March 17.

The order was set to expire June 29, but was extended since then as the pandemic and cases in The Bahamas persist.

About Royston Jones Jr.

Royston Jones Jr. is a senior digital reporter and occasional TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. Since joining Eyewitness News as a digital reporter in 2018, he has done both digital and broadcast reporting, notably providing the electoral analysis for Eyewitness News’ inaugural election night coverage, “Decision Now 2021”.

4 comments

He letting a little bit of power blow his mine. The worse disaster to ever hit the bahamas . He has completely destroyed this beautiful country He seems to be very dumb and unprofessional .

IMF is apparently paying governments for maintaining curfews / lockdowns… ask yourself what is exactly the agenda (or in other words follow the money). Even the dumbest idiot should slowly recognize the measures are all but for public health reasons. Covid19 is a perfect scape goat, you can’t catch it, you can’t fight it, it will circulate forever, EVEN with a vaccine (look at flu HXNY etc). So basically a perfect excuse for these with power to do whatever they want and whenever they want (another outbreak always pops up on time yeah… when you need it).

at the contrary! the government is doing exactly what they’ve been ordered to do, you just do not understand the agenda.

Also consider the in the wake of this “pandemic” every country is now pushing for a digital currency. Each wants to be a cashless society with fiat currency. Yet another step in the process.

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