The Bahamas reaffirms support for UN Human Rights Council

Strachan says COVID vaccine inequity and gender equality among global priorities  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas has recommitted itself to supporting the mission of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Jamahl Strachan, Nassau Village MP and parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Thursday addressed the high-level segment of the 49th session of […]

NO ABORTION POSITION: Health minister mum on govt’s stance toward controversial issue

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville yesterday declined to share the Davis administration’s stance on elective abortion and did not provide his views, but said he believes once the public understands the science, “key decisions could be made in terms of policy”. He suggested there could be a symposium in the future […]

Letters to the Editor: Don’t make Shaunae the face of gender inequality in Bahamian law

Dear Editor, Equality Bahamas has observed that Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s gold medal win and the Bahamian thirst for victory on the international stage has, once again, drawn attention to inequality in nationality rights. Following Miller-Uibo’s 400m win, social media was abuzz not only with celebration, but concern that, should she choose to have children, they would […]

A GREAT START: Women’s rights activists celebrate elimination of “tampon tax”

NGO says govt must now focus on wider issues, namely women representation in leadership NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While applauding the government for removing value-added tax (VAT) on feminine hygiene products, the Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) Bahamas Chapter said yesterday there must be a continued focus on women’s issues in The Bahamas, including addressing the […]

DOUBLE STANDARD: Shantytown demolition targets perceived Haitians and not Bahamians, claims rights group

HRB: Bahamians in “traditional” communities where same issues exist are left alone “Once again, we urge the FNM to stop embarrassing the country on the global stage” NASSAU, BAHAMAS —  Human Rights Bahamas (HRB) yesterday condemned the government for “continuing to manufacture and perpetuate a humanitarian crisis in Abaco”, as demolition of shantytowns on the […]

FARM SWEEP: Govt arrests residents in shantytown; confiscates suspected stolen property

Rights Bahamas condemns the govt’s actions as “illegal, shameful spectacle” ABACO, BAHAMAS — A multi-agency operation launched in The Farm yesterday led to the arrest of irregular migrants and “other persons who are suspected of being involved in various criminal offenses”, according to the Ministry of Works. The operation follows warnings from Minister of Public Works […]

Lack of LGBTI protection, Haitian discrimination underscored in US report

Between 30,000 and 60,000 residents Haitian or of Haitian descent NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The US Department of State has once again raised the issue of insufficient laws to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals in The Bahamas and what it called “little progress” in advancing legislation intended to address the issue of […]

Bahamas ranked 88/150 on safety for LGBT travelers; local groups say country must do better

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Following an independent non-governmental organization (NGO) recently grading The Bahamas a “D” average on its safety for LGBT travelers, local human rights activists and groups are saying there is more work to be done politically and socially on the matter. Asher&Lyric, an NGO that conducts and publishes private research and studies on […]