We all know something has to be done in regards to Shanty Towns. We are all in agreement there. We as country have an obligation however to ensure Shanty Towns are removed in a very responsible and humane manner. The Government may want to consider Article 27 of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child of which we are signed on to before displacing families with children without those families having any suitable alternative living to go to. Lets be honest for once in this country. Shanty Towns were allowed to exist because Bahamians exploited the inexpensive labour of illegal immigrants while successive Governments for decades turned a blind eye to it. Yes we must remove Shanty Towns from the landscape of the country but it has to be done in a very holistic way keeping in mind that the persons living in Shanty Towns are human beings. Where did your child or children sleep last night? Where did the children who were removed from the Shanty Town that was demolished sleep last night? Without the Government ensuring children of those Shanty Towns have suitable living to go to before demolishing the Shanty Town, the Government would be in breach of The Convention of the Rights of the Child.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 20:36:03 +0000