Bahamas News
Commonwealth Law Ministers Establish the Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform
#Bahamas, October 19, 2017 – Nassau – After the first day of deliberations, the 2017 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) yielded its first accord, with establishment of the Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform on October 17, 2017 at the conclave at Baha Mar Convention Centre. It was an idea that the Commonwealth’s Secretary General, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, Q.C. [Baroness], had since she was appointed in April 2016.
The new “Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform” is a high-level crime-fighting vehicle. It is governed by the Declaration of the Charter of the Commonwealth of Nations, signed by H.M. The Queen, Elizabeth II, under which 52 nations are united by language, history, culture, and the shared values of Democracy, Rule of Law, International Peace, Freedom of Expression, Separation of Powers, Good Governance, Protecting the Environment, Access to Health, Education, Food and Shelter, Gender Equality, and Human Rights.
Since 1931, the members of the Commonwealth of Nations have formed a network in a spirit of cooperation, partnership, and understanding.
Baroness Scotland said: “It’s clear that one of the things that joined all of the 52 member states of the Commonwealth — which represents about 2.4 billion people, 60 percent of whom are under the age of 30 — was the Common Law. We have a common language, a common Parliamentary system, and common institutions.
“The question therefore is: Look at the challenges that all of our countries face — the legal challenges, whether in relation to criminal justice, civil justice issues, particularly in terms of trade, but also climate change, and a plethora of other issues; we are all therefore, all our countries, looking at the same issues; none of us have sufficient resources to do it on our own –could we create something which will pool the opportunities to share our best practices and our learning?”
The Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform was created as an answer to the question.
She continued, in this office, which will be on the web: “you will see the laws and the procedures adopted and used by all our 52 member states. The Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform creates a portal which will enable various member states to assist each other in terms of producing toolkits, common legislative programs, frameworks for legislation, but also work in practice. This is a very important moment for us to help save money, save time; and, if we are correct in the way we deliver it, I think we will save lives as well.”
Bahamas Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Hon. Carl W. Bethel said the conference was extremely enlightening, covering a plethora of topical issues including, local and international, for example, the application of technology in the fight against crime; issues of combating terrorism and terrorist financing; issues in terms of how do we prevent the radicalization of our young people.
“We live today in a very violent society on the streets with drug gangs, but we’ve had drug gangs for 30 to 40 years, but never had this level of violence. So, how do we prevent the continued radicalization of even distressed young men in depressed communities? …These are problems that other countries in the Commonwealth face as well, and they’re grappling with the same issues.”
The Attorney General further stated that “the Commonwealth has always been a vital tool for those English-speaking or former English dominions or colonies which have embraced the Parliamentary system to share ideas and best practices.”
He continued that with the development of the new website, the ‘Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform’, there is “the ability for real time communication throughout the Commonwealth with our colleagues on critical issues.” The Attorney General explained, “with this website now, I am able to access that portal, make contact in real time, obtain technical assistance with other Commonwealth countries that we also have certain similar initiatives with, and also in the U.K. with their Parliamentary persons.”
By: Gena Gibbs (BIS)
1st insert: Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Baroness Scotland chats with Bahamas Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator the Hon. Carl Bethel during the 2017 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meetings (CLMM) at Baha Mar, October 16-19, 2017. Photos show events on Tuesday – also of the law ministers group and some of the proceedings.
(BIS Photos/Derek Smith)
Miami, Florida – Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, Dr. Kenneth Romer was presented with The 2025-2026 Infrastructure Leadership MVP Award, during the 10th Annual Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) held in Miami September 15-16, 2026.
According to event organizers, New Energy Events, the MVP Leadership Award is the highest individual honor in the industry and is
presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional, strategic and visionary leadership in advancing infrastructure in the Caribbean. Chosen by an independent jury of regional industry leaders, “The recipient is recognized for their sustained impact, influence across sectors, and dedication to driving meaningful progress in policy, investment, or project delivery”, said Event Organizers.
Romer becomes only the third person from the Region, and the first from The Bahamas to receive the Leadership MVP Award, joining last year’s winner The Honourable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
Represented among the Conference Speakers and present at the Award Ceremony was Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, who said that, “This award amplifies The Bahamas Government’s commitment to executing a vision that sets the benchmark for infrastructural investments opportunities across our archipelago while supporting exemplary Bahamian leaders like Dr. Romer, who are steering the Caribbean toward more resilient, investable, and innovative infrastructure”.
“While this award is deemed an individual honor, it is a recognition of the Bahamas’ position as a respected regional leader and more so, a
reflection of the incredible talent that resides within our small, but indomitable nation that continues to punch above its weight class as the world marks the manner of our bearing”, said Dr. Romer.
Dr. Romer has been instrumental in driving post-pandemic tourism recovery alongside the transformation of airports across the Family Islands through the Government’s landmark Family Islands Renaissance initiative. Under his leadership as Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, the sector has embraced a strategic, forward-looking approach focused on modernizing over 19 runways and terminals, strengthening safety and resilience, expanding international and regional connectivity, and leveraging public-private partnerships to deliver world-class facilities.
Dr. Romer’s work has helped translate the National Aviation Strategic Plan into tangible infrastructure projects that are creating new opportunities for tourism, investment, entrepreneurship and economic growth across the archipelago.
In 2025, he became the first person from the Caribbean and LATAM Region to be appointed to the Board of the International Association of Airports Executives.
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The Government is moving to protect the rights, privacy, independence, and dignity of older persons throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness tabled The Older Persons Rights, Protections, Care and Support Bill (2026),
in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
“This is legislation whose time has come. It is rooted in a very simple thought that growing older must never mean becoming less valued, less visible, less protected or less entitled to dignity.
“Ageing is not somebody else’s issue. It is one of the few public policy matters that, if we are blessed with longevity, will eventually touch every one of us,” Dr. Darville said.
He noted that The Bahamas, like the world, is experiencing a clear demographic shift. According to the 2022 Census, the number of persons aged 65 years and older rose by 28.2 percent since 2010.
In The Government’s Blueprint for Progress, it made a commitment to strengthening protections for older persons. And, this Bill gives practical expression to that commitment. But there is also a wider context.
Furthermore, in 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Council established an Intergovernmental Working Group charged with developing a legally binding international instrument on the human rights of older persons. Its first substantive negotiating session was held in Geneva in July of this year.
In this vein, Dr. Darville said that The Bahamas brings this Bill at an important moment.
“While the international community is negotiating what a future global legal instrument should contain, The Bahamas is moving now with legislation that goes beyond a declaration of principles,” he said.
“This Bill recognizes older persons as rights-holders. But it also recognizes that rights written on paper mean little if there is no machinery to make them real.”
Provisions under the Bill establish in law the rights of older persons, including dignity, equality, privacy, autonomy, participation, financial self-management and access to healthcare and public services.
Secondly, it confronts abuse and abandonment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological and emotional abuse, neglect and abandonment.
“These are expressly prohibited. For far too long older persons have been abandoned at hospitals with no recourse. This ends today,” Dr. Darville stated.
The Bill also permits anonymous reporting of suspected abuse and protects persons who make reports in good faith. Certain healthcare,
social service, law enforcement and other professionals will have a statutory duty to report where
they reasonably suspect that an older person requires care and protection.
And thirdly, this Bill confronts an abuse that can sometimes remain hidden behind family relationships — financial exploitation, Dr. Darville said.
He added, “Taking an older person’s pension. Misusing their bankcard. Coercing them to transfer property. Manipulating a will. Using their National Insurance benefit for purposes other than their welfare. Preventing them from accessing their own money. These matters are specifically addressed in this legislation, with financial exploitation attracting serious penalties.”
The Bill is about support, by providing for the development of a National Older Persons Policy within 12 months, with priority given to a National Dementia Strategy.
“It promotes community nursing, home-based care and older persons’ day-care services, because where it is safe and appropriate, we should help our older persons remain independent, connected to their communities and supported in familiar surroundings,” Dr. Darville said.
The Bill further recognizes the tremendous responsibility carried by caregivers and provides for caregiver training and support, among other things. “It incorporates the needs of older persons into disaster preparedness, response, relief and recovery. And importantly, it rejects the idea that retirement means irrelevance,” Dr. Darville said.
By Lindsay Thompson
Bahamas Information Services
(BIS Photo/Ulric Woodside)
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
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