The 'National Peace Initiative' was presented yesterday on Windsor Park by members of Citizens for Justice (CFJ), Civil Society Bahamas (CSB) and Bahamas Against Crime (BAC).
The initiative is designed to focus on the root causes of violence, particularly in New Providence. The initiative is also designed to encourage community interest, according to the National Peace Initiative manifesto.
Terry Miller, president of Civil Society Bahamas, said that the government is stretched and overwhelmed by the crime problem.
"Like many in our communities, I am very close to desperation.  And like we always say, desperate times call for desperate measures," he said. "We believe that every murder diminishes us as a people, for we are involved in The Bahamas and in humanity.  For every person killed in our country, many more mourn their loss - mothers, siblings, significant others and most importantly, children."
Bishop Walter Hanchell, chairman of CFJ, recommended that laws be amended to revoke bail for all persons charged with murder, rape or child sexual abuse and their cases should be tried within 12 months.
He added that a sexual offenders registry should be immediately established.  This registry would enable profiles and photographs of all convicted sex offenders to be placed on the Internet and other media outlets for public view.
"Whether we want to admit it or not, The Bahamas is presently in a crisis.  We need answers and proper decisive action to resolve this crisis," Hanchell said.
"Too many of our citizens and residents have displayed symptoms of hopelessness and discouragement.  We have seen 104 senseless murders in a short nine-month period and many persons surviving the attempted murder of their lives by criminals."
The National Peace Initiative also seeks to establish a judicial and legal advocacy group.  This group will focus on highlighting the rulings of courts and it will advocate closing loopholes and recommending new laws.
"The Privy Council has said that if you keep a person on death row for longer than five years it is cruel and inhumane to (execute) them," BAC leader C. B. Moss said.  "Where the person is judged guilty of murder, immediately the Office of the Attorney General should commence the process of reading him his death warrant."
 

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian