fredsmith

The Supreme Court was expected to hear the matter involving lawyers fighting and defending the exploratory drilling by Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC, today.

However, it was adjourned after Fred Smith QC, who represents the environmental groups, Waterkeeper Bahamas Ltd and Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay, said he was in pain due to an injury he suffered last year. Smith dislocated and shattered his left ankle, broke his left tibia, dislocated and sliced his right ankle, and broke two vertebrae while paragliding in the Dolomite mountains of the Italian Alps in 2019.

Why it matters

Bahamas Petroleum Company has begun drilling for oil just 40 miles of Andros. The exploratory drilling has faced major opposition from environmentalists who argue that the drilling risk harming the country’s marine environment.

Justice Petra Hanna-Adderley was to hear if BPC should be allowed to continue the oil drilling.

Attorneys for BPC is skeptical of Smith

Though Counsel for the BPC did not object to an adjournment, they questioned Smith’s motive, expressing concern that Smith may use the time to file more paperwork to help his case.

But Smith responded, “This is not a trick I am attempting to pull off to file more documents.”

But he did say that during the proceedings other matters may arise, adding that the main documents for the judicial review application have already been filed.

The parties will return to the Supreme Court for adjournment at 10 am Wednesday.

Attorney Fred Smith QC condemned the burning of a Haitian sloop that landed on Long Island on Saturday.

In a Facebook post, Smith said the sloop was destroyed after the 45 Haitian migrants were handed over to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Bahamas Customs Department.

Smith said, “The sloop was promptly burnt to a crisp! This “invasion” aroused the ire of the islanders!”

Why it matters

• 36 adult Haitian men and nine women were found in Long Island after the vessel ran aground the day after Christmas. Long Islanders are known to have little tolerance for illegal migrants.
• The immigrants were to appear before a Magistrate in Long Island today.

What Smith says

“I suggested that in this Christian moment, celebrating Christ’s birth, that racial diatribes, xenophobia, hatred, and nastiness towards one’s fellow human beings, was probably not the greatest expression of Christ’s message.”

Smith says he was verbally attacked for defending the rights of the immigrants. He said, “Much of the work that Human Rights Bahamas and I do, along with alleged “sympathizers”, relates to respect for the rule of law and due process in the Bahamas. Something I was proud to hear our Prime Minister, Dr. Minnis, pledge himself to when sworn in at Government House.”

Smith continued, “Firstly I don’t know who burnt the vessel, but if it was burnt on the orders of anyone from the government, that is firstly a crime and secondly unconstitutional in that it is a destruction of private property not in accordance with the law.

“Secondly, I’m concerned as to whether or not flying a Magistrate down to Long Island and having a court hearing is really necessary and or nothing more than form over substance. Will it be nothing more than a Kangaroo Court? Will the humans really be getting a fair trial? Will humans be properly advised as to what their rights are? May some of the humans actually have been born in The Bahamas and are simply returning home as many try to do? Smith asked.