September 3, 2012Dear Sir,As a Bermudian, I found the Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister’s recent remarks on race relations in Bermuda highly offensive and grossly irresponsible. For Mr Baldwin Spencer to use a handful of ignorant comments made on an internet blog as the basis of an indictment shows how far some people are prepared to go to score cheap political points. As a point of order, there are major differences between our two islands, especially on the subject of human rights. The most obvious relates to the issue of human trafficking. For your readers’ guide, human trafficking is a polite term for slavery. According to a report by the State Department of the United States released in May of this year, the government of Antigua and Barbuda fails to comply with even the minimum standards in the fight against human trafficking. A United Nations Development Programme report, released prior to that in February, stated that police and immigration officials were complicit in the trade. The problem is acute and involves mainly women and children, often from poorer neighbours like Jamaica and Haiti, who are forced into prostitution or harsh work conditions.According to the same May 2012 State Department report, violence against women, including spousal abuse, has been and continues to be a serious problem on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Sexual harassment, while illegal, is rarely prosecuted. Homophobia is rife and in fact part of government policy. Consensual same sex activity is illegal and carries a punitive penalty of up to 15 years in jail. That is as harsh a penalty as anything considering that Antigua and Barbuda is under constant criticism on the inhumane conditions in its prisons, which are overcrowded and lack basic services like plumbing. This is no Westgate. There have also been numerous reports citing harsh police tactics. In 2009, as a result of the excessive force and threats of violence by the police against foreigners, the government was forced to institute training regarding international conventions. Exclusivity and the lack of regard for basic human rights, also extends to some religious sects, mainly the Rastafarian community there, who frequently complain of discrimination based on their beliefs. Antigua and Barbuda is a predominantly Anglican community. As a guest, Mr Spencer should show more tact the next time he is invited to opine about things he knows nothing about. At the very least he should get his own house in order before he starts throwing stones at us.KEES VAN BEELENNew York City