HAMILTON, Bermuda, Nov 15, CMC -The Bermuda Equal Justice Initiative(BEJI) says it is determined to rectify the inequalities present in the island’s legal system, ensuring fairness and justice for all individuals, regardless of race, political affiliation, or economic status.
“As a non-profit and non-government organization, the Bermuda Equal Justice Initiative is committed to freeing the innocent, preventing wrongful convictions, and assisting in reforming the justice system to ensure it is fair, compassionate, and equitable for all.
“The initiative is in the process of obtaining a local charity license to ensure that we are able to raise funds to support legal causes for those unable to afford it, and who cannot secure legal-aid funding from The Legal Aid Office”.
It said the funding will also be used for mental health and counselling services as well as rehabilitation and housing programmes for those released from prison.
“The Bermuda Equal Justice Initiative is dedicated to fostering positive change within the legal system, particularly for individuals without the economic means to navigate the often arduous and complex legal process.
“We strive to protect and promote basic human rights for the most vulnerable in our community, working with marginalized populations affected by poverty and unfair treatment due to their socioeconomic backgrounds,” it added.
The BEJI said it is collaborating with local and overseas counsel, in providing research and recommendations to local lawmakers to facilitate positive reform in the justice system.
“Over the next few years, we plan to publish data reports, draft policy guidelines, and create educational materials to ensure all individuals in our community fully understand their rights and have the necessary resources to navigate the justice system effectively.
“Recognizing poverty and lack of education as barriers to reducing Bermuda’s incarceration rates, we are committed to working with local stakeholders to lower incarceration rates and to ensure that those imprisoned receive necessary treatment and education whilst in prison and after their release.”
The BEJI said that it recognises that systemic injustice appears in many forms, including by way of steep court fees and fines imposed on individuals who are unable to pay, adding “we will work with local stakeholders and lawmakers to reform our legal system’s punitive approach to court debts, which further exacerbates poverty and recovery for low-income individuals”
It said it intends to launch a “Book & Laptop Drive” for inmates housed in the island’s correctional facilities, and would soon be announcing its inaugural educational bursary designed to help young Bermudians pursue their formal educational qualifications so that they can return to the island to contribute to justice reform.
Meanwhile, an NGO that that has long called for an overhaul of the judicial complaints system says it welcomes the government’s pledge to improve accountability in senior constitutional posts.
“I think the complaints we have made over the years have put a spotlight on the lack of accountability when it comes to these top posts,” LeYoni Junos, of the Civil Justice Advocacy Group, told the Rpyal Gazette newspaper, adding that the inclusion in last week’s Throne Speech of a promise to bring in a “revised legal framework” for handling disciplinary matters was well overdue.
She said the judges claim and enjoy ‘judicial immunity’ without any real accountability and that “this breeds arrogance and a systemic air of untouchability, instead of public service without fear or favour.”
The BEJI has also welcomed what it called a plan to “create and foster a suitable framework for holding individuals in important public positions accountable.
“We trust that these reforms will provide a workable structure that balances accountability with independence.” it said.
Governor Rena Lalgie, delivering the traditional Thrne speech last Friday said that in recent years, the independent regime by which constitutional appointments are made has been found wanting when the rare occasion arises for disciplinary oversight of appointees.
She said that “this must be remedied” and that Government House and the Government would work together to develop a revised legal framework for accountability in senior constitutional positions.
“Public confidence in such high offices is of paramount importance given the power those appointed have to significantly impact the lives of Bermuda’s people,” she said, though she did not specifically mention judges.
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