back to Environment - Bimini, Bahamas

----- Original Message -----

From: Sam Duncombe

To: reearth@batelnet.bs

Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 9:44 AM

Subject: NGO Legislation Hypocritical and Ill-timed

February 18, 2004 - 10:28
NGO Legislation Hypocritical and Ill-timed
In its failed efforts to discredit outspoken environmentalists the government is now trying to bridle them by setting in place legislation that would control Non Governmental Organizations (NGO's).

Last week, The Bahamas National Trust, Andros Conservancy Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Dolphin Encounters (how a money making exploitative venture rates as an NGO is beyond me), and the Andros Fishing Association were called to a meeting to discuss potential legislation that would make NGO's "accountable and transparent." (Earthcare in Grandbahama received the invitation the day of the meeting and was unable to attend.) To discuss this legislation is the height of hypocrisy and essentially detracts attention from the critical issues that environmentalists have been asking the government to address.

While the nation has been besieged by proposals for unsustainable developments, which government is seriously considering regardless of the environmental and social consequences, while there are no significant laws or policies that protect the environment upon which we all depend, while transparency and accountability are practically nonexistent for government, while legislation has been tabled for Clifton has excluded the public, while questions we have put forward regarding the AES LNG facility have yet to be answered (two and a half months later), while this government allowed the exploration of oil (without an environmental impact assessment) which can be detrimental to our fisheries resources without asking the Bahamian public if we want this kind of development, while no one has been answered regarding the current, and further potential destruction of Bimini, while developments are being allowed to proceed without public inclusion in environmental and culturally sensitive areas (or anywhere for that matter), while legislation that would govern developments, and dolphins in captivity (among a few) which require further review and tabling are gathering dust, while the issue of the Korean fishing fleet has yet to be rectified, while the citizenry of this country are treated with scorn when we request to see existing EIA's, even though "Our Plan" promises "to give the people … a legal "right to know"…to break the culture of secrecy in Government decisions which leads to arrogance in governance and a loss of pubic confidence in Government." (pg 60) while we pay little attention to the international agreements that would protect the environment better than the laws we have, while international trade agreements and impositions from the OECD, the WTO and the FTAA loom large over this country, threatening to give over control of our government to corporations and greedy countries jeopardizing our sovereignty …this government would really have us believe that this legislation should take priority over all the above?

I wonder whether or not the government intends to adopt any of the recommendations put forth in this legislation themselves especially the part about transparency and accountability. One has to wonder if the government of the Bahamas has decided to fully embrace the old adage "do as I say not as I do".

Alarming also is, some of the countries that have followed in this path to curb activists are those, which have had dictatorial oppressive governments, and since the fall of communism, have tried to control a citizenry no longer shackled by those repressive regimes. May I remind this government that their pre-election rhetoric committed them to "face the future with a more compassionate, sensitive and honest government…confident and responsive leadership that is caring and approachable; leadership that can share your dreams and feel your pain; leadership whose authority springs from the people and is excised for the people; leadership that understands that you are the masters - not the servants."
 
Are churches going to be included in this net? Will they have to disclose who they get their money from, what campaigns they will follow for the year what their expected income will be for the year, who comprises their membership "without limitation", the names addresses and occupation of each member of the Board of Directors, for each year?

Are the hundreds of people who request monetary sponsorship for medical causes, sports trips and the like going to be included?

I do not intend to give this ill-timed document any further attention at this time. As it is it has already taken up far too much time from the truly pressing environmental issues. It distracts from the real ills our environment suffers from…visionless, regressive, dictatorial, arrogant, overbearing, recycled beyond use politicians. As far as the environment is concerned, apart from recent comments made by Ambassador to the Environment Keod Smith regarding the LNG proposals, the only thing the "fresh wind" we were promised does, is blanket this country with the stench of stagnation. If there are any statesmen left in the government, I beseech you to stand up and be counted.

Sam Duncombe, Reearth