© 2024 Burger King Company LLC© 2024 Burger K Jerk & Mango Habanero cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 Weekly, 10-16 May 2024 ‘Slavery be dead, we be free The Compass takes an in-depth look at how a century of slavery came to an end on these islands Pages 22-24 In photos: Celebrating Emancipation Day Page 10 New museum exhibition Page 26 Painting: Chris MannPolice investigating West Bay wounding The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is seeking information about a wounding that reportedly took place the evening of 4 May on Birch Tree Hill Road in West Bay. Emergency responders attended the the location at about 10:10pm and met a man with a stab wound in his abdomen, according to an RCIPS press release. The other man involved in the altercation that led to the injury had left before police arrived. The injured man received treatment in hospital for his “serious but non-life- threatening” injury and was discharged. Anyone with information on the incident can contact the West Bay Police Station at 949- 3999. Visitor dies after snorkelling at Cemetery Beach Less than one week after a visitor died after snorkelling off Seven Mile Beach, another visitor died after swimming at Cemetery Beach. Emergency services reported to the beach Sunday morning, 5 May, after a 72-year-old woman from the United States experienced diffi culty while snorkelling with a family member, according to a Royal Cayman Islands Police Service press release issued 8 May. Fire offi cers administered CPR on the scene after members of the public helped bring her to shore. She was transported to Cayman Islands Hospital, where an attending doctor pronounced her dead. Police do not suspect foul play but continue to investigate the incident. Public asked to guide national healthcare policy Public consultations have begun to guide development of a healthcare road map for the Cayman Islands. The comment period, open throughout May, is an opportunity for the Cayman Islands public to provide insight on their healthcare needs. Cayman’s last national health strategy, a fi ve-year plan, was undertaken in 2012. Health Minister Sabrina Turner says she now hopes to create a 10- year strategy that includes an operating plan and incorporates local data and community input. “It’s all about a data-driven approach and not information from other regional jurisdictions or somewhere in Europe,” Turner told the Cayman Compass. She stressed that input should come from “the Caymanian people who are using our services”. Submitted comments will guide the Ministry of Health & Wellness, with the assistance of the Pan American Health Organization, in developing a national health strategy for the Cayman Islands. Turner hopes to roll out the strategy as early as 2025. That will require staff to collate public input and send that document to caucus and Cabinet for approval. Cayman Brac airport manager appointed The Cayman Islands Airports Authority, which operates the Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman and the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac, announced that Joshua Burke has been appointed to CKIA airport manager, effective 1 May 2024. Burke joined the CIAA on 14 Oct. 2002 and has over 21 years of experience in air traffi c. He has acted in the capacity of CKIA airport manager many times, according to a CIAA press release. On his new role, he said, “I am very excited for the opportunity as it has always been something that I have aspired to achieve.” CIAA CEO Albert Anderson said of Burke’s appointment, “We are thrilled to welcome Joshua as the new CKIA Airport Manager. Joshua is a very mature and capable young man who we are excited about to bring a different perspective to the leadership at CKIA and contribute signifi cantly as part of the management team at the CIAA.” Minimum Wage Committee reviewing public input Cayman’s Minimum Wage Committee is now in the process of reviewing community feedback on its recommended wage increase from $6 to $8.75 an hour, which seeks to help improve the lives of low-income workers here. However, there was no word on what the feedback entailed nor how soon the process will be completed for the ministry to review to decide on the wage increase. A Labour Ministry spokesperson, following Cayman Compass queries on the progress of the public feedback, said via email that since the report was released in March, the ministry was giving the community a chance to provide their views. “We did get some public feedback via emails which are now with the Minimum Wage Committee to put together for the Ministry to review,” the spokesperson has said. The advisory committee, which was chaired by Lemuel Hurlston, held 37 meetings last year and held multiple surveys to gauge the community’s views on whether the islands needed to change its $6 minimum wage, which was introduced eight years ago. However, when the report was launched last month during a press conference, it was announced that further feedback would be sought. Agouti roadkills: DoE encourages drivers to ‘slow down’ Be vigilant on the roads is the message from the Department of Environment with apparent increased sightings of agoutis dead on the side of the roads in the eastern districts. The agouti, which is non- native to the Cayman Islands, is not protected under the law like the country’s endemic animals, which include the Cayman parrot and the blue and rock iguanas. The Compass photographed six dead agoutis on the road on separate occasions throughout Bodden Town in April. The DoE confi rmed that due to the agouti being an ‘alien species’ they do not keep records of the animals, meaning there are no offi cial statistics on the death toll from roadkills. Despite that, Judy Hurlston, DoE’s public education and outreach offi cer, urged motorists to be cautious, especially when it comes to Cayman’s endangered native creatures, such as rock iguanas, which have also been victims of roadkills. “We do not have any advice on their protection other than perhaps just slow down on the roads,” she told the Compass. “Keep an eye out for them as we would for our native blue and rock iguanas, hickatees and crabs.” Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. CHALLENGERS (R) (FRI-SAT, MON-THURS) 6:50 GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE (PG-13) (FRI, SUN-THURS) 4:30 KUNG FU PANDA 4 (PG) (FRI, SUN-THURS) 4:00 (SAT) 1:20 | 4:10 STAR WARS: EPISODE 1 - THE PHANTOM MENACE (PG-13) (FRI) 9:50 (SAT) 9:50 (SUN) 3:50 VIP | 6:45 | 9:50 (MON-THURS) 3:50 VIP | 9:50 TAROT (PG-13) (FRI, SUN-MON, WED-THURS) 7:15 VIP | 7:20 | 9:35 VIP | 10:00 (SAT) 1:30 | 7:30 | 9:35 VIP | 10:00 (WED) 7:15 VIP | 7:20 | 10:00 | 10:20 VIP THE FALL GUY (PG-13) (FRI, SUN-MON, WED-THURS) 4:15 VIP | 4:30 | 7:00 VIP | 7:15 | 9:45 VIP | 10:10 (SAT) 12:30 VIP | 1:40 | 4:15 VIP | 4:25 | 7:00 VIP | 7:15 | 9:45 VIP | 10:10 (TUES) 4:15 VIP | 4:30 | 7:00 VIP | 7:15 | 9:35 VIP | 10:10 WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (PG-13) (FRI, SUN-MON, WED-THURS) 3:30 VIP | 3:45 | 6:45 VIP | 7:00 | 9:40 | 10:00 VIP (SAT) 12:30 | 1:00 VIP | 3:30 VIP | 3:45 | 6:45 VIP | 7:00 | 9:50 | 10:00 VIP (TUES) 3:30 VIP | 3:45 | 7:00 | 9:40 | 9:45 VIP KIDS CLUB UP SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) 10:00 VIP CLASSICS HARRY POTTER & THE SORCERER’S STONE TUESDAY 7PM VIP (PG) KIDS CLUB HARRY POTTER & THE SORCERER’S STONE SATURDAY 10AM VIP AVAILABLE (PG) PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. 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WINDS East at 15 to 20 knots. 87°F HIGH 77°F LOW NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCHGILLIES news in brief cayman compass 2 N news WEEKLY, 10 16 MAY 2024cayman compass 3 WEEKLY, 10-16 MAY 20241234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Company’s personnel (5) 4 Driving force (7) 8 Snakelike fish (3) 9 Very simple (4,2,3) 10 Unlikely to cause offence (7) 11 Slang peculiar to a group (5) 13 Recompense (6) 15 A fine woollen yarn (6) 18 Domineering (5) 19 Account for (7) 21 Reversal of opinion (5-4) 23 Sphere (3) 24 Approve openly (7) 25 Garb (5) DOWN 1 Czech composer d.1884 (7) 2 Every competitor (3,6) 3 Ardent (5) 4 Part of the foot (6) 5 Mollify (7) 6 Gratuity (3) 7 Exhausted (5) 12 Act by oneself unaided (2,2,5) 14 Poetic word for the sun (7) 16 Including many items (7) 17 Period of ten years (6) 18 Strengthen (5) 20 Offer as excuse (5) 22 Occasional (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 17627 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 17627 ACROSS: 1 Staff, 4 Impetus, 8 Eel, 9 Easy as pie, 10 Anodyne, 11 Argot, 13 Amends, 15 Merino, 18 Bossy, 19 Explain, 21 About-face, 23 Orb, 24 Endorse, 25 Dress. DOWN: 1 Smetana, 2 All comers, 3 Fiery, 4 Instep, 5 Placate, 6 Tip, 7 Spent, 12 Go it alone, 14 Daystar, 16 Omnibus, 17 Decade, 18 Brace, 20 Plead, 22 Odd. What they’re saying Online Dying breed: Sister Islands rock iguanas hit with multiple deaths Only two things can be done – cease and desist on development or have everyone turn in gas motor vehicles and swap out with electrical mopeds (government can do a swap out programme). Unfortunately, with development means more people and more people means more cars, which means more dead iguanas. You have choices. Don’t let your paradise become Grand Cayman. Hugh J. Very sad, but accidents do happen, but I’d assume that a majority of drivers are simply too fast. Especially when the areas are not very crowded. People tend to speed and that’s a big problem for all the species which are on the ground. likefastcars_711 This is heartbreaking – Little Cayman is such a paradise, how can anyone speed and endanger these precious creatures on this beautiful island? Will the day come that Little Cayman needs road cameras ? This would be so sad – I hope karma bites those guilty! artbyrubymarr‘ As someone who has traveled to Little Cayman several times a year for over 15 years it is noticeable that the increase in temporary workers seems to have coincided with faster driving speeds. Enforcement needs to happen on a regular basis. djscayman Making a splash: A watershed moment for sport in Cayman As the mother of two national team swimmers I can say that one of my proudest moments was watching them in the athletes’ parade, with our flag, representing our country. It was not easy. As a family we gave up much to support their swimming. We are not rich by any means – sometimes we paid for overseas meets in instalments; and saved on our club account so we had a credit when it was needed. Having a 50m pool will make swimming more accessible to Caymanians and it will also make it more affordable as now swimmers will come to Cayman for meets – meaning our swimmers will not have to travel away all the time to race against “unknown competition”. I am so grateful for this – and previous – government’s support of swimming. We are investing not just in a sport but in a life skill that can save lives and serve as safe exercise for our seniors; and even though my daughters have just ended their collegiate swimming careers I know that we – as a family – will continue to support swimming because we know firsthand what an incredible sport it is. I look forward to the day when our unrealised swimming potential is known and supported, and is a source of pride for all Caymanians. Kathy Leggatt Jackson So very proud of our Caymanian athletes... including our swimmers (who brought home many medals). Congratulations over and over to all competitors and your achievements. On the other hand, personally making this change is to Cayman as if America changed American football and basketball to some other sport. There is still a love and passion for football in the Cayman Islands, of all ages. There are much more of our youngsters interested in football than, say, swimming, and football is still one of the most competitive sports; even so in America now. I have, however, watched broken-hearted as the investment by both governments and the private sector in the sport dwindle, moreso after the FIFA scandal. This sport kept many of our young boys out of trouble also, as they had the sport to look forward to, whether recreationally or competitively. Personally, this is not a sound change... not to me. Patricia Bryan The new 50-metre pool would be a massive boost to our already highly successful swimmers. However, I find Mr. Ferguson’s suggestion that John Gray students be given priority to use the facility out of order. It’s a national facility like the track and field stadium, that is also close to John Gray, but no school is given priority there. Trusty2man D. How is football more accessible than swimming? To actually compete you need money for both activities, but anyone who knows how to swim just needs water… narbo2287 Florida’s 6-week abortion ban will have impact in Cayman Cayman needs to change their law and allow for women to have an abortion here. Whatever the reason a woman needs an abortion, the laws should not be dictating to women what we can do with our own bodies. This backward thinking needs to stop. Since Cayman is all about the dollar bills, this could be a new form of medical tourism. 2boys_andamermaid Crazy! Some women wouldn’t even know they were pregnant at 6 weeks! audreybowman Time to get rid of Grand Harbour roundabout I wish this country would listen to the people. Some of the ideas are simple solutions and all boils down to common sense! Sarasue McField Implement a national work from home policy for those that can. Priscilla Lopez I’m glad to see this mentions a pedestrian bridge. It baffles me that there is zero consideration for the fact that there is a PreK – Grade 12 school at Grand Harbour when it comes to the roads. No school zone (which, to be fair it, seems about 1% of the population follows the school zone lights and rules where they do exist) and no pedestrian crossing at all. Thankfully, there are not many, but there are a handful of school children that walk and bike to school there everyday. It’s incredibly dangerous and needs immediate attention. Lori Anderson Scott Very simple solution – build an overpass through all roundabouts going north/south. Paul Alberga Is implementing an efficient public transportation system under serious consideration? 345adventuredave One normal-sized bus holds 32 people – that’s 31 cars off the road soleil.parkinson How about a four-lane overpass over the roundabout? farrowpeter We’ve come full circle back to traffic lights. codyp3.0 If ALL drivers signalled their turns, all roundabouts would function a lot better. This is money in the bag for government since it is an offence not to signal your intention. Police should target a roundabout daily and ticket those persons who do not signal. When you hit people in the pocket, they will succumb! GCM Diva Nine Sister Islands rock iguanas have been killed on Little Cayman roads this year. cayman compass 4 news N news WEEKLY, 10-16 MAY 2024WEEKLY, 10-16 MAY 2024JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky It is the most notorious choke point on the slow, grinding commute to George Town from all points east. Now, highway planners have come up with a novel solution to the problem of the Grand Harbour roundabout – getting rid of it completely. The proposal is one of a number of possibilities under consideration for the chaotic intersection, amid projections that new housing and retail development could make gridlock in the area even worse. A new National Roads Authority report contemplates a multi-million-dollar package of new roundabout layouts, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings along a 1.5-mile commuter corridor believed to be the slowest stretch of road in Grand Cayman. Data modelling based on population trends suggests another 28,000 vehicles a day could be trickling along the route, from Lantern Point to King’s Sports Centre, within the next decade. By that time, the NRA data suggests it will be quicker to walk. It proposes this can be alleviated through a series of traffic-management improvements – including new metered signals to regulate traffic flow on every junction on the four major roundabouts in that stretch. The proposals include consideration of smart traffic lights, which adjust according to the road conditions. The report also looks at possibilities for redesigning those roundabouts. A pedestrian bridge across the busy intersection has also been put forward for consideration, while the NRA is proposing pedestrian crosswalks and enhanced sidewalks at all four roundabouts. Massive road-building plan The report references 17 road-building projects that are committed to and budgeted through 2026. Those include a new ‘service road’ from the CUC roundabout for traffic heading to neighbourhoods in Red Bay or new developments around Grand Harbour. The widening of the Linford Pierson Highway, Bobby Thompson Way and the East-West Arterial are also slated for that time period. Further ‘committed projects’ through 2036 include the South Sound bypass corridor. The NRA report cautions that, even with those road developments, population growth will make traffic conditions worse, without further action. By 2036, NRA data modelling suggests it could take as long as 35 minutes to travel just over a mile from the Tomlinson Roundabout to Grand Harbour roundabout at rush hour – slower than walking pace. Clogged arteries The report, ‘CUC Roundabout to Tomlinson Roundabout Corridor Multimodal Improvement Plan’, looks at options for managing traffic flow through four roundabouts which are major traffic pinch points on the route from the eastern districts to town. The study indicates that commuters are already changing their travel and work habits to avoid this journey at peak times. Up to 3,800 vehicles per hour – 63 per minute – pass through this traffic corridor every morning, it notes. The Grand Harbour roundabout is a particular cause for concern amid an increase in retail and residential development, bringing pedestrians and motorists into closer contact. The proposals for the four main choke points on the route include: CUC roundabout – New service road considered key The roundabout will be reconfigured to a ‘peanut shape’ to add an entry and exit point for a new service road for traffic heading to Red Bay or Grand Harbour. Even with this, the widening of the highway to three lanes and the addition of a new South Sound bypass before 2036, the report predicts, “traffic congestion at the CUC Roundabout will continue to worsen due to population growth across Grand Cayman”. The proposals include adding traffic signals and some tweaks to vehicle flow through the roundabout as well as new bus pull-outs, extended sidewalks and new crosswalks. Time to get rid of Grand Harbour roundabout? The largest roundabout and most notorious choke point on the route gets the most attention in the report. Despite several new residential developments on both sides of the highway, the new Harbour Walk plaza and the Grand Harbour shopping centre, the report notes a lack of safe pedestrian crossings through the intersection. Meanwhile, there is no prospect of further widening of the roundabout because of space constraints caused by developments on either side of the intersection. The report examines multiple different reconfigurations of the roundabout, using a mix of signals, lane restrictions and pedestrian crossings. The most dramatic idea on the table is getting rid of the roundabout completely and converting it to a two-way stop controlled by traffic lights. Another option envisages prohibiting access to Grand Harbour from this intersection, with all traffic to the shopping centre and residential neighbourhoods coming via the new service road from the CUC roundabout. The change would mean restricted access to the shopping centre and left turn only from South Sound Road – meaning motorists using that route would need to travel back to the CUC roundabout to perform a U-turn. New signals for Red Bay and Tomlinson roundabouts New metered traffic signals to better manage the flow of vehicles through the roundabout are proposed, with the aim of reducing queues from side streets, like Prospect Point Road. New bus pull-outs and a pedestrian crossing to Red Bay Primary School are included in the wider proposal. Meanwhile, the Tomlinson roundabout is highlighted as a morning ‘congestion point’ where the East-West Arterial and Shamrock Road converge close to the Lantern Point condos. The report considers adding traffic signals for peak hours only. Smart traffic lights signal significant improvement The study projects these changes would significantly improve traffic conditions. With only road improvements – and no signals – it will take as long as 35 minutes just to get from the Tomlinson roundabout to the Grand Harbour roundabout – a distance of just over one mile – by 2036, according to NRA modelling cited in the report. That can be reduced to 12 minutes with the reconfiguring of the roundabouts and the addition of smart signals that adjust according to the road conditions, the report indicates. The NRA is also recommending government consider alternatives to road development to help alleviate traffic. It suggests increases in telecommuting, locating more employment in the eastern districts, restricting vehicle imports, improving public transit, and safe and accessible bike paths, sidewalks and crosswalks. The public is asked to provide any comments and/or discussion points via email to nra@nra.ky. Time to get rid of Grand Harbour roundabout? Up to 3,800 vehicles per hour – 63 per minute – pass through this traffic corridor every morning. National Roads Authority report cayman compass news N news WEEKLY, 10-16 MAY 2024 5DANA KAMPA dkampa@compassmedia.ky An idea five years in the making, whose beginning pre-dates the pandemic when tourism was setting records, was officially realised with the grand opening of the Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman on Thursday. “We hosted our project kickoff meeting on this very site the second week of March 2020,” Gary Gibbs, Dart executive president of development, said at the opening ceremony. Gibbs, and others who spoke at the opening, remembered the challenges of pushing forward with the construction amid border closures, supply chain interruptions, inflation and more. But they also took the opportunity to celebrate the launch of the newest addition to Cayman’s hospitality offerings. Topping 8,000 rooms The hotel is near Seven Mile Beach, south of the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa. Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan, who spoke at the ribbon-cutting, said the Cayman Islands now boasts 8,022 rooms for rent. Hotel Indigo has 282 rooms, several conference rooms, and six food-and-beverage locations. “It is the first Hotel Indigo- branded property to be established anywhere within the Caribbean,” Bryan said. The brand focuses on local art, cuisine and design elements in its hotels, and the Grand Cayman location is no different. Speakers at the ribbon- cutting gave a special nod to the history of the Cayman Islands by replacing the typical ribbon with a woven thatch cord, which they cut before welcoming guests for tours of the new establishment. The Central Planning Authority approved construction of the 10-storey hotel in March 2021. The Dart-owned Shoreline Development Company Ltd initially applied for the $80 million project the month before. Also on the horizon are several other 10-storey buildings, including an office block in Camana Bay. Legoland Real Estate also recently sought planning permission for a 162-unit apartment block. Last summer, the CPA granted permission for the owners of The Westin to build a 10-storey hotel block with 234 guest rooms, and the 10-storey ONE|GT tower on Goring Avenue is already close to completion. View from above The rooftop is home to Pom Pom, one of six dining options, which features South American- inspired dishes and cocktails. The other restaurants comprise American-style marketplace Café Alula, Japanese-California sushi bar Milkberry, the international tasting menu-based Rasa restaurant, poolside Bata Bar, and the main Catalina Bar and Lounge. Natasha Pereira, director of catering and events, said the restaurants are open to everyone, though amenities like the pool are only for hotel guests. Decorating the walls of the restaurants, rooms and wider hotel are works by artists from the Cayman Islands and wider Caribbean, including Cera Tan Kenniard, Gina Powell, Elena McDonough, Natasha Cunningham, Cameron Bridgeman, Teneka Mohammed and Reno Jackson. General manager Steven Andre believes the hotel will become a focus of the community. “It is going to be the social epicentre of the island,” he said, adding the rooftop space “is one of a kind”. Editor’s Note: The Cayman Compass is a subsidiary of Dart Media and Entertainment. Hotel Indigo opens its doors Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan and Dart executive vice president Gary Gibbs cut the ribbon to open the Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman (not pictured: IHG CEO Jolyon Bulley). - Photos: Dana Kampa The Hotel Indigo has 282 rooms and six food-and-beverage outlets. cayman compass 6 WEEKLY, 10-16 MAY 2024 FOR WORK, REST OR PLAY, STAYCATION WITH CAYMAN VILLAS! PRIVATE RETREATS AMAZING RATES BEACH FRONT BLISS 345.945.4144 RESERVATIONS@CAYMANVILLAS.COM WWW.CAYMANVILLAS.COM View or book our 70+ properties online or call us today to find your Cayman home away from home!cayman compass 7 WEEKLY, 10 16 MAY 2024 The Cayman Islands Angling Club Commi�ee recognises and thanks the 2024 Cayman Islands Interna�onal Fishing Tournament sponsors for suppor�ng the Islands’ longest running and most exci�ng sport-fishing compe��on. Special thank you to our returning Diamond Sponsor, Cayman Na�onal Bank, Ltd. for sponsoring the tournament Jackpot and con�nuing to be a steadfast supporter in this aspect of our Caymanian heritage. This year’s par�cipa�on included 196 anglers, and 43 boats resul�ng in the Cayman Na�onal Jackpot of $116,500 for first prize, and over $200,000 in cash and prizes awarded to anglers in various categories in the tournament. 2024 SPONSORS George Town, Grand Cayman THE BARCADERE MARINA Hosted from Visit fishcayman.com for more details on the Cayman Islands Angling Club and future tournaments. PRESENTS DIAMOND SPONSORNORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky A change to Florida’s abortion laws, which bans the termination of pregnancies after six weeks’ gestation, has limited the availability of abortions not just for residents of the US southern states, but for those in Cayman as well. With abortion being illegal in the Cayman Islands, those seeking terminations must travel overseas or avail of black market abortion pills locally. Florida, due to its proximity to Cayman, has been the state of choice for many women in Cayman getting abortions. It had also been the state to which many women from throughout the US south had been travelling to terminate their pregnancies, as it was the last state in the region without a near- total ban. According to US media reports, about 10% of all abortions in Florida last year were undertaken by out-of-state residents. The change in the law came into effect in Florida on Wednesday, 1 May, when the six-week ban replaced the previous 15-week abortion ban. Review of local legislation Legislatively, abortion is Cayman is covered by the Penal Code, which stipulates that it is unlawful to procure an abortion by any means, unless the life of the mother is at risk. That legislation is currently under review by the Law Reform Commission, which is expected to make recommendations on the subject later this month. The commission published a discussion paper on the issue in December 2021. In response to queries from the Compass on the progress of the review of legislation regarding abortion, Law Reform Commission director José Griffith said the commission will be meeting on 16 May to consider its final draft report on the matter. “If approved, the Final Report, in accordance with statutory requirements, will be submitted to the Attorney General for onward transmission to the Cabinet,” he said, in an emailed response. “Once a Final Report is submitted to the Attorney General, the Commission would have concluded its role. It is then left for the Attorney General and Cabinet to consider the recommendations and determine the next steps.” Commission chairman Hector Robinson told the Compass that the abortion legislation issue would be “top of the agenda” at the 16 May meeting. “We are very close to issuing our final report,” he said. “It will be based, in part, on the feedback we got.” He noted that the commission received an array of comments, mostly from civil society, including churches, adding that there had been “some very strong views on both sides”. Initially, the issue of abortion came before the commission when it was tasked with updating antiquated parts of the Penal Code and ensuring it was in line with the Bill of Rights. Robinson explained that the commission members decided to deal with abortion as a separate issue, rather than include it as part of the general overhaul of the Penal Code. “We took out abortion as a specific topic because we wanted to specifically focus on it rather than have it buried among the other discussions on the Penal Code generally, and dealt with it as a standalone paper,” he said. Limited data The Law Reform Commission’s discussion paper on abortion noted that while there has never been a criminal prosecution for abortion in Cayman, “this does not mean that abortion is not being procured”. However, there is very little public data available on how many girls or women in Cayman have had an abortion, either locally or overseas. More than a decade ago, in 2013, the Ministry of Health released the findings of an ‘Adolescent Health and Sexuality Survey’ which stated that, out of 202 female participants, 9.1% of 15-16 year olds and 8.5% of 17-19 year olds admitted to having an abortion. The only other known survey on the subject in Cayman was carried out in 2022, by a University College of the Cayman Islands student, Estefanie Barnett, as part of a paper she was working on. She received online responses from 252 female residents, 77 of whom said they had had an abortion. Thirty-nine of those said they had travelled overseas to have a safe abortion; 11 did it illegally in Cayman by taking medication; and the rest had been living in countries where abortion was legal at the time of their pregnancy. The survey results also showed that 90% of the respondents said they supported the legalisation of abortion in Cayman. Barrett told the Compass last week she had forwarded her survey findings to the Law Reform Commission, as part of its public consultation following the publication of the commission’s discussion paper on the issue in December 2021. She said she had hoped that a roundtable discussion she had hosted in May 2022 to release the findings of her survey would spark conversation locally on the issue, but “I don’t really see it being discussed”. During that roundtable meeting, Barnett had told attendees, “Criminalising abortion only pushes women to engage in unsafe behaviours in order to procure an abortion, sometimes with fatal consequences… My paper argues that the restrictive abortion law does not reflect the opinions of women across the island.” An investigation by the Cayman Compass in July 2022 revealed that, in the absence of the availability of medical abortions in Cayman, some women were turning to illegal abortion pills, which can be purchased locally for massively inflated prices – $500 a dose. The Law Reform Commission’s discussion paper points out that Cayman is one of 39 countries in the world where abortion can only be legally carried out to save the life of a pregnant woman. In another 24 countries, abortions are banned under any circumstances. Cayman’s Penal Code does not address the issue of abortion in cases that involve pregnancies following rape or incest. In its paper, the commission acknowledged the subject of abortion is “highly emotive, sensitive, complex and controversial”. It noted, “Where abortion is safe and legal, no one is forced to have one. Where abortion is illegal and unsafe, women are forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term or suffer serious health consequences and even death. Approximately 13% of maternal deaths worldwide are attributable to unsafe abortions – between 68,000 and 78,000 deaths annually.” Florida restrictions Prior to Florida’s new six-week abortion ban coming into effect across the state, it had been legal to get an abortions if a woman were up to 15 weeks’ pregnant. Opponents to the change in the legislation say many women don’t even realise they are pregnant at six weeks, so the amendment basically amounts to a complete ban. The Florida ban has exceptions for rape, incest and human trafficking up to 15 weeks of pregnancy, and also allows abortions to save a woman’s life or to prevent “substantial and irreversible” physical impairment. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the six-week ban a year ago, but its enactment was delayed while a state Supreme Court ruling was awaited. That ruling was made in April. Voters in Florida will have a chance to address the issue in November when a proposal to enshrine abortion rights into the state’s constitution will appear on the election ballot. Florida’s 6-week abortion ban will have impact in Cayman The abortion legislation issue will be ‘top of the agenda’ at the 16 May Law Reform Commission meeting. Hector Robinson, commission chairman cayman compass news N news WEEKLY, 10-16 MAY 2024 8cayman compass 9 WEEKLY, 10-16 MAY 2024 CONNECT WITH US TODAY. e: eventspace@compassmedia.ky t: (345) 936-4918 Let’s make memories under the sun or stars at The Compass Green I D E A L F O R D A Y O R N I G H T F U N C T I O N S Step into a world of possibilities at The Compass Green, the latest gem in the heart of George Town. Nestled amidst landscaped greenery and bathed in sunlight or balmy night breezes, our outdoor space off ers the perfect setting for your next unforgettable event. WHERE NA TURE MEETS CELEBRA TION INTRODUCING OUR NEWNext >