Shaunae’s pregnancy reignites calls for equality on citizenship

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

SOME WOMEN activists are again calling for equality over citizenship rules after the recent news of Bahamian Olympic star Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s pregnancy.

The track and field athlete announced that she and her husband, Estonian decathlete Maicel Uibo, are expecting their first child. The news was met with widespread congratulations, including from Prime Minister Philip Davis. This comes at a time when there is much discussion regarding citizenship laws. Children born outside of the country to a Bahamian woman and a foreign man are not automatically granted Bahamian citizenship. They must apply to become citizens.

Former senator Lisa Bostwick-Dean said she is “absolutely thrilled” about the gold medalist’s pregnancy and wished her a safe delivery when contacted by The Tribune yesterday.

However, she expressed disappointment in women who did not ensure the previous equality vote was not decided in their favour.

She said: “I’m extremely saddened that this has to be a discussion. I’m angry and I’m not just angry with politicians. I’m angry with everyone that was entitled to vote on this issue.

“I’m disappointed that women, because we are the majority of voters on the register, I’m disappointed that women have not - [ensured] that our children are Bahamian wherever we give birth to them. Wherever we give birth and under circumstances, whether we’re married or not married.”

Women United president and founder Prodesta

Moore said it is unfortunate that Shaunae’s baby news is in the spotlight when it comes to advancing the cause, but Ms Moore hopes it will.

She said: “I thought about Shaunae when I heard about the pregnancy and this is one of the things that we’ve been talking about for a while in terms of being able to pass citizenship on to your children. I know that she can apply for a child but that’s not the point. The point is, it should be, you know, automatic just how it is if it was a male.

“So hopefully, this will spark some interest in our country and making sure that she is able to do it and the laws are changed based on the fact. The laws are changed based on the fact that it’s unfortunate that it has to take a person like Shaunae to help to advance the cause, but I’m hoping that this is advanced, based on the fact that citizenship should automatically passed on to our children whether we’re male or female.”

Asked if it were shameful that the country had not changed its laws and that it could affect someone like Mrs Miller-Uibo, Ms Moore replied: “It would be shameful and that’s why I’m hoping that this now helps us to advance the cause where we see that we have national heroes like Shaunae because they are not taking the regular Bahamian citizens seriously.

“But now who would not want to have a Shauna Miller-Uibo as you know, being able to pass the citizenship on. So it should draw some attention and I’m hoping that we take a look at it. It is unfortunate that we have to now use this as a platform, but if that’s what it takes, then that’s what it takes.”

In 2016, a gender equality referendum asked the

Two Gb Men Denied Bail On Separate Counts Of Sex Crimes

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A GRAND Bahama man was charged in Freeport’s Magistrate’s court on Tuesday with rape and causing harm.

Herman Major, 35, of Holmes Rock, West Grand Bahama, appeared before Magistrate Simone Brown in the Eight Mile Rock Magistrate Court.

It is alleged that on January 30 while at Deadman’s Reef, the accused sexually assaulted and attacked a 23-year-old woman.

He was not required to plead to the charges. Bail was denied and he was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Corrections until May 3.

In the second incident, Joshua Oliver, 31, of Coral Gardens, Freeport, was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse and burglary.

He appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson in Court One.

It is alleged that on January 31, at Freeport, the accused burglarised a residence and sexually assaulted a female juvenile.

Oliver was not required to plead to the charges and was denied bail. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Corrections until April 26.

FREEPORT MAN GRANTED $9K BAIL ON HARBOURING CRIMINAL CHARGE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A FREEPORT man was this week charged with harbouring a criminal in a case before the Freeport Magistrate’s Court.

Gregory Munroe, 59, of 25 Trade Winds, South Bahamia, pleaded not guilty to the charge of harbouring a criminal.

He was granted $9,000 bail with three sureties, and the matter was adjourned to Thursday, February 16.

In other court matters, Kevin Mitchell, 40, of Sweetings Cay, was charged with witness tampering.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted $10,000 bail, with one surety.

Mitchell was ordered to be outfitted with an electronic monitoring device and is required to sign in at the Central Police Station every Monday between the hours of 6am and 6pm.

The matter was adjourned to Monday, April 3.