Bahamas: Bail legislation to be amended

CMC – Prime Minister Philip Davis Wednesday said that his government would be tabling amendments to the Bail Act to ensure that bail is automatically revoked for suspects who violate the conditions of their bail.

“Bail is a constitutional right, but not a right to be abused. There is a fundamental right to be presumed innocent, but the liberty that accompanies that presumption is not absolute, especially when someone poses a danger to society and themselves. ”

Speaking in the Parliament, Davis said that the move is part of his government’s strategy to combat crime, telling legislators “for far too long the persistent cycle of violence and crime has been a dark cloud over our nation”.

“Each act of violence is a stark reminder of the urgent work that lies ahead. The stories of families shattered, dreams unfulfilled, and communities living in fear are not just news items; they are heartbreaking realities that I, as your Prime Minister, carry with me every day. These are not just statistics; they are our children, our friends, our future,” he said.

He said the government’s strategy titled “Crackdown 2024: Building Safer Communities” addresses the harsh realities facing the Bahamas.

“It is bold and unflinching. It is grounded in the certain knowledge that the security of our citizens is our number one responsibility. We recognise that the roots of criminality are deep and tangled. They stem from social, economic, and cultural factors. Our response, therefore, is likewise multifaceted and robust, addressing each of these aspects with the seriousness they deserve.”

He said in line with the government’s commitment to strengthen the rule of law and to ensure justice, “I am also announcing a significant amendment to the Bail Act.”

“Our amendment will ensure that bail is automatically revoked for those accused persons who commit offence while on bail. This includes those found to be in violation of the terms of their bail, which is an offense under the amendment.”

“This measure sends a clear message: our legal system will no longer tolerate those who flout its rules and endanger our communities,” Prime Minister Davis said, adding “overall, our comprehensive plan is at the heart of a bold determination by my government to combat the scourge of crime, which has long plagued our society.”

“We are expanding school policing, placing more trained officers in schools to foster positive relationships with students. This initiative aims not only to ensure safety but also to engage in early prevention, detection, and intervention of criminal activities among the youth.”

He said to deter crime in high-risk areas, the authorities are significantly increasing police presence through expanded saturation patrols, adding “this heightened visibility of law enforcement is a direct response to the community’s call for increased security.”

“In our technological front, we are introducing advanced facial recognition CCTV systems. These state-of-the-art surveillance tools will greatly enhance our crime detection and prevention capabilities.”

Prime Minister Davis told legislators that recognizing that crime is not just a local issue, “we are also strengthening regional cooperation in our fight against drug trafficking and illegal arms trade.”

“By working closely with our neighboring countries, we aim to tackle these cross-border issues more effectively,” he said.

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