DNA promises legislation to fix gender inequality

Wed, Jun 8th 2016, 12:18 PM

Calling yesterday's failure of the four referendum bills at the polls an example of democracy and a wholesale rejection of the Christie administration and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney said the result also presents The Bahamas "with a unique opportunity to finally pay real attention to key issues affecting the country's immigration policy".

"Rather than go down the road of what was clearly a costly and misguided attempt by the PLP to address those policy concerns via the gender equality referendum, the government of The Bahamas must take definitive action that can result in both short and long-term benefits for the entire citizenry," McCartney said.

"As the next government of The Bahamas, the Democratic National Alliance pledges to do exactly that.

"Through the saving provisions of Article 13 of the Constitution, the DNA will bring to Parliament, legislation which would have the same impact of the bills one and three.

"Under Article 13, Parliament is given the power to grant citizenship to individuals who would not ordinarily automatically qualify by virtue of the stipulations within that chapter of the constitution.

"Simply put, Parliament would be able to ensure that the children who are the product of a Bahamian mother or father will be granted citizenship even if their other parent is a non-national.

"This act of Parliament by the Democratic National Alliance would also finally address the long-standing issue of statelessness for scores of individuals currently entitled to Bahamian citizenship under the law.

"For far too long, such individuals have lived among us, but have been far removed from us, unable to contribute in meaningful ways to the development of our economy, and our country. Unable to open bank accounts or even have access to affordable tertiary education, these individuals have essentially been disenfranchised as a result of the government's failure to honor their constitutional entitlement.

"Not only is regularizing such individuals the right thing to do, but it will finally clear the immense backlog of cases within the Department of Immigration ushering in a new era of efficiency and productivity."

Bill one would have given a Bahamian woman married to foreign man the right to pass on her citizenship to their child born outside The Bahamas.

Bill three would have allowed a Bahamian man to pass on his citizenship to his child born to a foreign mother.

Bill two would have allowed a Bahamian woman the same right to pass her citizenship to her foreign husband.

The law currently gives Bahamian men this right.

"The DNA proposes that the current laws allowing men to pass citizenship on to their non-Bahamian wives be repealed and any and all considerations of citizenship given to the foreign spouse of a Bahamian be subject to the stipulations in the Immigration Act," McCartney said. "We believe wholeheartedly that citizenship is not a gift to be granted lightly.

"As a society, we welcome persons from other cultures whose intent is to lend their skills and talents to the furtherance and betterment of this country.

"However, we must be wary of those who seek to thwart the country's immigration policies by marrying for convenience.

"By levelling the playing field in this way we ensure that individuals receiving Bahamian citizenship earn it.

"With the mistakes of this failed referendum now behind us, we, the government and people of this great country must see an effective new policy be born from the ashes.

"The DNA is the government to both plan and execute that new policy with a view to bringing real parity to matters of citizenship."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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