PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell.
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
THE Progressive Liberal Party blamed Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday after three tourists accused of violating his COVID-19 emergency orders were discharged.
Ikrame Kanane, 25, Rana Kenawy, and Mariam Mohamed Hassen, 18, made headlines when photos showing them scaling a locked fence at Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island last Friday spread on social media. Yesterday in court they claimed an officer gave them permission to go on a local beach on Independence Day.
People across social media were shocked at the discharge. Some said Bahamians would not have been let off so easily. PLP chairman Fred Mitchell said in a statement: Needless to say, this trial will attract international attention. Tourists who visited the Bahamas because of its advertised sun, sand and sea tourism product were hauled before the courts for enjoying sun, sand and sea all because of a bad decision by a singular competent authority. This incident will do more harm than good to the countrys tourism product and brand, not to mention our international reputation.
The PLP again calls on the competent authority to allow expert medical and scientific evidence to drive all of his decisions if he is to expect continued cooperation from an increasingly exasperated and frustrated public.
Mr Mitchell said the discharge of tourists was an embarrassment for the government and that the matter was a waste of time and resources for police and the courts.
So nonsensical are some of these emergency orders by the so-called competent authority that the government is challenged and hard pressed to get the law enforcement officers to enforce some of them or to understand what they are, he said. We note the decision of the police to place handcuffs on the persons charged. We have made the point before that the use of these and other restraints when there appears to be no violence or record of flight seems over the top and may be unconstitutional. In any event it is a terrible image for tourism in the Bahamas. The tourism ministry must be having a fit.
Yesterday, Free National Movement Chairman Carl Culmer hit out at the PLP for trying to gain political points from a judges decision.
Its disappointing to see the PLP would try to gain political points on a magistrate making a decision, Mr Culmer told this newspaper. The governments job is to be the legislator. Unlike the PLP, the government cant control the courts. We allow the courts to work without interference. If the PLP was looking around different countries, they would see that many countries are closing their beaches so we cant bury our heads in the sand and work in a vacuum and dont expect consequences. All of the prime ministers decisions are in the best interest of the Bahamian people.
Link:
'This incident will do more harm than good to the country' - Bahamas Tribune
- Bahamas Vacation Packages & Travel Deals - Atlantis [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2016]
- Bahamas: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture ... [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2016]
- Nassau Paradise Island, Bahamas Where to Stay [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2016]
- Bahamas Vacation Packages & Travel Deals | BookIt.com [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2016]
- All-Inclusive Hotels & Resorts, Nassau Paradise Island [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2017]
- Bahamas - The New York Times [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2017]
- The Official UK website, The Island of The Bahamas | The ... [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2017]
- No Elections Just Yet, Bahamas Prime Minister Says | Caribbean360 - Caribbean360.com (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Survival in the Bahamas - Lifestyle - The Daily Herald - Columbia, TN - Columbia Daily Herald [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- CHTA Donates $25000 for Bahamas hurricane relief - Yahoo Finance [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Miami hosting Venezuela-Bahamas Davis Cup tie - Tennis Magazine [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Venezuela plays Bahamas in "home" Davis Cup matches in Doral ... - Miami Herald [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Bahamas tops Caribbean on crime's economic cost | The Tribune - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Bahamas Victory Could Propel Lincicome to 2017 Solheim Cup - LPGA (press release) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Lupus Bahamas releases new 'Lupus and the Kidneys' Educational Pamphlet - The Freeport News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Volunteers 'Good To Go' For Iaaf World Relays Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- In the Bahamas, the Art of Conch - Caribbean Journal [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Doug Manchester to be Bahama Papa for US? - San Diego Reader [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Conference USA helps Old Dominion make money on Bahamas Bowl trip - Daily Press [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- SaskTel beaches employees in the Bahamas - News Talk 650 CKOM [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Travel Deals - Official Nassau Paradise Island, Bahamas ... [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Cruise Liner pulls out of Bahamas for Cuba - Jamaica Observer [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Ancient Tropical Tortoise Found in a Deep Blue Sinkhole in the Bahamas - Seeker [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- In A Growing Trend, Norwegian Cruise Lines Drops Bahamas In Favor Of Cuba - Cuba Journal [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Cruise Line Drops 25 Bahamas Sailings - Cruise Radio (blog) [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Bloody weekend in Bahamas, Opposition calls for Gov't to break silence - Jamaica Observer [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Nassau, Bahamas: Where to eat, dive and lay out on the sand - amNY [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Greenslade: Bahamas Is Not In Crisis - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- The Oshies, Alzners, and Winniks are vacationing together in the Bahamas - Russian Machine Never Breaks [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Caps players and families have 'best Valentine's Day ever' in the Bahamas - Russian Machine Never Breaks [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Search called off for Georgia man who went overboard in Bahamas - 11alive.com [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- IXE Bahamas Bank Bid Crashes - finews.com [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Authorities Blame Gangs for the Bahamas' Bloody Start to 2017 - Insightcrime.org [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Official Launch Of 'Team Bahamas' Carifta Movement - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Will Klay Thompson Wear The Anta KT 2 Bahamas During NBA All ... - KicksOnFire.com [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Hefty 13ft tiger shark is a local record-breaker in the Bahamas - Earth Touch [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Hendrix students travel to Bahamas for mission trip - Log Cabin Democrat [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Silver Airways adds more non-stop flights to the Bahamas - WFLA [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Bahamas' 'Growth Potential' Down 3% Since Century Start - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Imf Bahamas Chief Supports Fiscal Limits - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Tough Approach on Tax Arrears Pays Off For Bahamas Government - Caribbean360.com (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Privy Council Has Fourth Sitting In The Bahamas - The Bahama Journal [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Bahamas Well Represented at NY Times and Boston Globe Travel Shows - South Florida Caribbean News [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Take the Unlikely Plunge into the Beautiful Waters of The Bahamas - TravelPulse (blog) [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Bahamas Tops Guyana 4-1 At Concacaf Beach Soccer - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Widely Adored Swimming Pigs Found Dead in the Bahamas - Travel+Leisure [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Bahamas famous swimming pigs found dead in ocean - only seven or eight left - News24 [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Swimming with pigs in the Bahamas could soon be a thing of the past as only seven of them are still alive - The Sun [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Robocall scheme that sold Bahamas cruises is in permanent dry dock - MyPalmBeachPost (blog) [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Bahamas Gets 3-0 Win Over Belize - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Three Straight: Lesly St Fleur Scores Hat Trick As Bahamas Beats Jamaica 3-2 - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- The Famous Pigs From The Bachelor Island Date Are Dying - Refinery29 [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Bank fees also under the radar in The Bahamas - Jamaica Gleaner [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- 20 Best Resorts in the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Turks & Caicos - Cond Nast Traveler [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Moody'S: Bahamas Deficit Will Exceed $300m This Year - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Bahamas Face Guadeloupe In Beach Soccer Quarter-Finals On Friday Night - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Beloved Swimming Pigs Of The Bahamas Found Dead - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Bahamas Must 'Buffer' Against Deficit Blow-Out - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Guadeloupe End Bahamas Hopes Of Progress In Beach Soccer Championship - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Caribbean Hotel And Tourism Assoc. Helps Hurricane-Affected Haiti & The Bahamas - South Florida Caribbean News [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- AG warning about 'Bahamas Grandkids Scam' - Artesia Daily Press [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Junior golfers fare well at Bahamas tournament - Cayman Compass [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2017]
- Bahamas face US in fifth place playoff after beating Trinidad | The ... - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2017]
- Swimming pigs of the Exuma Cays, Bahama's killed and tourists are ... - Metro [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2017]
- Bahamas Grateful To Support From Missionary Flights International - South Florida Caribbean News [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- The Bahamas Private Developers vs. Government Run - Albany Times Union (blog) [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Amnesty Int'l critical of Jamaica, Haiti, The Bahamas - News ... - Jamaica Observer [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Bahamas Suffers 4-2 Loss To Usa - Bahamas Tribune [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- PRESS RELEASE: Dan Marino And Friends Bahamas Weekend 2017 Planned For May 25-27 - MiamiDolphins [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- In the Bahamas, Sharks Are Worth More Alive than Dead - Hakai Magazine [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Amnesty Int'l critical of Jamaica, Haiti, The Bahamas - NYCaribNews [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Several of the Bahamas' Beloved Swimming Pigs Found Dead - TownandCountrymag.com (blog) [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Bahamas famous swimming pigs dead from possible tourist feeding - MyStatesman.com [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Rosewood Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas to open in 2018 | Rus ... - RusTourismNews [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Tourists may have killed Bahamas' famous swimming pigs - New York Post [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- DNA Party: PM Offers More Harm Than Good In Office - The Bahama Journal [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Famous Swimming Pigs in the Bahamas Found Dead After Tourists Give Them Alcohol - Cosmopolitan.com [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Mysterious wave of death strikes the Bahamas' famous swimming pigs - Washington Post [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2017 set to be biggest one yet - International Association of Athletics Federations [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Bahamas PM Apologizes For Flipping Bird, Saying He Lost Control While Defending Family - Caribbean360.com (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]