The Voters Rights Association has called for the black power salute to be banned in a written submission to British MPs.

As well as listing VRA goals such as a voters bill of rights and fixed term elections, co-chairman Geoffrey Parker Sr also launched a lengthy attack on the Ewart Brown Government in the letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee which is reviewing Britain's Overseas Territories.

He called for confirmation that the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights applies to Bermuda which, he said, stated that any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law.

He wrote: "We recommend that Bermuda adopt the UK's position on the promotion of swastikas, black power salutes, cross burning and other demonstrations of political hatred."

Some observers believe Premier Ewart Brown gave black power salutes in the lead up to the election.

"The recent General Election saw unchecked racial hatred expressed against whites in speeches by the Premier and candidates, which shocked this community," said Mr. Parker.

Other passages on race allege the Progressive Labour Party stirred their supporters with racially divisive rhetoric during the election.

He wrote:"Dr. Brown's Government seems uninterested in healing this country, and instead seems intent in exploiting divisions.

"Mr. Parker claimed many foreign long-term residents were contemplating their future while small and medium size international exempt companies had begun downsizing or relocating as the political climate and "unworkable" immigration policies took their toll.

Elsewhere in the submission, he said: "We need increasing accountability and stability to ensure our future. At the moment the current Government is preaching black power, anti-white rhetoric.

"Over the past few years the Government has introduced programmes in the public schools that arguably are developing a negative image of the white population among young children.

"The Premier has intimated that they will continue to make the whites feel uncomfortable. Such a stance must be in contravention of the United Nations International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, Article 20.2."

The Premier's office last night declined to comment on the VRAsubmission.

The organisation was set up a year ago to push for constitutional change and boasts around 500 members, according Mr. Parker in a recent interview, although he said the group was having trouble bringing more black members in because it was seen as anti-Government, which he denied.

Mr. Parker was not available for comment yesterday so VRA co-chair Stuart Hayward was asked if Mr. Parker's submission would appear as anti-Government.

He told IThe Royal Gazette "If you are pushing against the policies and practices that are currently in vogue, then they are policies and practices owned by the current administration.

"We are opposed to the practices and polices, that's what we want changed. If the same people operated differently, that would be fine or, if different people operated differently, that would be fine."

But he declined to comment on why Mr. Parker had raised the issue of the black power salute.

Mr. Parker's lengthy submission even details the history of Dr. Brown's long fight for the PLPleadership including the ousting of Jennifer Smith hours after the 2003 general election and Dr. Brown's infamous quote that "We had to deceive you".

The submission added:"We have some serious problems here in Bermuda. Our Island had been evolving quietly until a group of individuals within the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) decided it was now, as they put it, 'pay back time'.

"They ousted two former Premiers and have now ensconced themselves in an almost untouchable situation to do as they wish, to spend as much as they wish, ignoring all the basic principles of democracy and the laws of natural justice."

Mr. Parker, who described Premier Brown's predecessor Alex Scott as an "honourable man", lamented what he called the "newly introduced amoral (Americanisation) approach to politics in Bermuda has frightened many people who have nowhere else to go".

There were also calls for reform of broadcasting legislation following claims of blatant abuses during the General Election which created "a major unfair advantage for the governing party" according to Mr. Parker.

Mr. Parker said the Bermuda Housing Corporation scandal implicated Dr. Brown (prior to his becoming Premier) and several other sitting parliamentarians in what was termed "unethical but not illegal" dealings.

He said Dr. Brown's efforts to stop publication of the leaked BHC dossier was evidence "of a continuing erosion of the rule and respect for law".

Also on the VRA wish list was more powers for the Auditor General and Ombudsman and legislation to ensure fiscal accountability in Government to reduce waste.

The VRAcalled for an independent body to oversee fairness in Government purchases and contracts.

The Foreign Affairs Committee, which has put up several Bermuda submissions on the UK parliament website, is set to deliver its report on the Overseas Territories this summer.