An open letter to the Governor

Sir Richard Gozney,

Thank you for taking the time to review my remarks concerning an amicable solution to our Premiers distasteful means of offering refuge to the former detainees of Guantanamo. 

May I suggest a solution to this crisis could be putting the decision of whether these individuals can remain in Bermuda to the people via a referendum?  Further, should the people of Bermuda opt in favor of this referendum it could be on the condition that the Uighurs be granted permanent residency as opposed to status. 

Such acts would adequately reverse our Premier’s rather dictatorial actions, gain favor of the people of Bermuda and ultimately resolve the issue of risks associated with the Uighurs being given status and ultimately rights to UK citizenship. 

In the interests of promoting this idea to as wide an audience as possible I have opted to post a copy of this letter on my website, www.21square.com, as well as having forwarded it on to the local newspapers.

Thank you once again for taking the time to review my remarks.

Sincerely,

Denis Pitcher
www.21square.com

 

Comments

[Rummy]

Thanks Dennis. It's to bad that others who are so quick to demonise common sense can't forsee the big 'Pitcher'.

Regards

Terry.

[J Starling]

Hi Denis,

My concern on this is that it risks politicising the Uighurs themselves, as opposed to the process. It would see some rather ugly racism and islamophobia in my opinion. I think it would be safer to approach it now as a domestic human rights issue, kind of along the same lines as why the US would not send them to China, they thought it would be inhumane. Similarly, returning these people to limbo would be inhumane and unethical.

[Denis]

Jonathan,

Putting the issue to a referendum gives the chance for all sides to have their say. It doesn't need to be immediate and can certainly weigh the benefits vs. the drawbacks. While you claim there is potential for racism against them to come to light I believe it would also have positive implications of illuminating racism for many blind Bermudians. Ie, white Bermudians aren't the only ones capable of racism, as some falsely believe, and that we should take off our blinders and recognize the fault of all facets of racism, not just those in vogue.

As you've said on your blog, this is the US's mess to clean up. They've already left us to clean up after their other messes at our own cost. Putting this issue to a fair and open vote where people can debate the pro's and con's not only introduces the people to what a non 'authoritarian democracy' looks like but also gives the people to have the chance at the say they never had.

Yes it is unfortunate should the Uighurs find themselves back in limbo but we should not dictate to Bermudians how this should play out. While you or I may vote in support of their right to say doesn't mean we should impose our views upon others because of what we believe is right. Bermudians should have the right to a say, especially after proper risk assessments are carried out.

If a month down the road it is discovered that the US lied to us and these individuals are actually high risk and not actually innocent, would you change your tune about what is 'humane' or not? Thus far I am not convinced considering the vast numbers of countries who turned down their acceptance based on a lack of information. This comes down to transparency of government. If they are truly innocent then all available information about them should be disclosed. The fact that it has not raises red flags in my mind and thus I am not as quick to jump on the 'humanitarian' band wagon without seeking more information.

Besides, we can certainly start looking closer to home (homeless shelter for example) if we want to start caring about what is humane or not.