By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net 

SENATOR Michela Barnett-Ellis has defended the work of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee (PHRC) after questions were raised about whether the body is addressing critical issues.

“The Parliamentary Human Rights Committee is working,” she said yesterday. “We don’t take these issues lightly. We are treating them in a very bipartisan manner, and so I’m asking the public to have faith in us.”

Mrs Barnett-Ellis, deputy chair of the PHRC, acknowledged criticism that the committee has not been visibly active, even as concerns persist about police brutality, domestic violence, freedom of religion, and arbitrary arrests.

“That’s probably fair criticism,” she said. “Everybody can always work harder.” She added, however, that the issues being addressed cannot be solved overnight.

In May, the committee said amending the Child Protection Act, enforcing the Protection Against Violence Act, and improving accessibility for people with disabilities were among its top priorities.

Mrs Barnett-Ellis explained that members have identified gaps in age ranges across various laws. She gave the example of people being too old for a care order but considered too young for other legal protections. She said the Ministry of Social Services has also complained that inconsistent age ranges make it difficult to provide support.

Although the committee is focused on amending the Child Protection Act, Mrs Barnett-Ellis stressed that the process cannot be rushed and must ensure all key areas are addressed.

The PHRC is also reviewing proposed amendments to the National Insurance Act.

The committee is made up of five members of the House of Assembly and three senators. It was established by resolution on April 26, 2023. Shortly after, Attorney General Ryan Pinder, who chairs the body, led a delegation to Geneva, Switzerland, for the United Nations Human Rights Council’s review of the Bahamas’ human rights record.

The committee first met on February 27 and has convened several times since, though meetings paused during Parliament’s summer break. Its first post-recess meeting is expected to be with Marion Bethel, Commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

In the past, Human Rights Bahamas has urged the committee to address police brutality, arbitrary detentions, and inhumane prison conditions. Mrs Barnett-Ellis said the PHRC has not yet met with the Royal Bahamas Police Force regarding those concerns.