Opposition Leader Andrew A. Fahie (R1), has announced the formation of a domestic Committee to conduct outreaches across the sister islands of the VI in response to the United Kingdom’s establishment of a special body to review future relations with its Overseas Territories. Photo: VINO/File

According to the Opposition Leader, Honourable Andrew A Fahie (R1), “the aim of the meetings shall be to solicit and document the views of citizens throughout the territory…All attempts would also be made to receive and submit the views of Virgin Islands citizens living or studying in the USA, UK or further afield.” VINO/File

The UK’s Foreign Relations Committee of the House of Commons, in announcing the inquiry noted that, “in recent years, the OTs have been exposed to shocks, from the Panama Papers in 2015, to the Brexit vote in 2016, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017…This led some OTs to question the Government’s willingness to support them. Relations have been put under further strain due to high-profile instances of divergence between the UK and some of the OTs on issues such as civil rights and financial transparency.” Photo: Internet Source

The Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), in a statement released on August 10, 2018, said the move is in response to the UK’s House of Commons’ Select Committee on Foreign Affairs’ decision, to conduct a formal inquiry on future of UK OTs.

The UK decision comes after the protestations that erupted following its earlier decision to have territories such as the VI, establish public registers for companies with beneficial ownership.

September Deadline

Honourable Fahie has since observed that while the Special Select Committee has invited submissions from affected stakeholders, “in view of the September 3^rddeadline and given the far-reaching consequences of this inquiry, I as Leader of the Opposition (LOTO) have deemed it appropriate and critical to gather the views of VI citizens and Belongers, from the widest corners of the territory and in various locations throughout the United States and the UK.”

He said, “In this regard, I hereby announce that I shall form select committees and shall conduct Town Hall meetings in Tortola; Virgin Gorda; Anegada; Jost Van Dyke and St. Thomas.”

According to the Opposition Leader, “the aim of the meetings shall be to solicit and document the views of citizens throughout the territory…All attempts would also be made to receive and submit the views of Virgin Islands citizens living or studying in the USA, UK or further afield.”

Concerns

Hon Fahie reminded that of late, a number of concerns have been “voiced in regards to our Constitution, the protocol document, the British Nationality Act, human rights, the role of the Governor, the rule of Law, adherence to the concept of transparency and accountability, the British response to Natural Disasters, freedom of information and many other pertinent topics affecting the lives of our people and the stability of our territory.”

The Opposition Leader was adamant, “all citizens and belongers of the VI must be prepared to share their views and be represented.”

He said, once compiled, all views would be cataloged and presented to the Foreign Affairs Committee before the September 3, 2018 deadline.

“In so doing the concerns cited by our people would be incorporated with those of the remaining 13 Overseas Territories…Again, the invitation for Virgin Islanders to share your thoughts and views on the future of the relationship between the British Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom will be extended and your participation shall be most welcomed.”

UK Reviews

The UK’s Foreign Relations Committee of the House of Commons, in announcing the inquiry noted that, “in recent years, the OTs have been exposed to shocks, from the Panama Papers in 2015, to the Brexit vote in 2016, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017…This led some OTs to question the Government’s willingness to support them. Relations have been put under further strain due to high-profile instances of divergence between the UK and some of the OTs on issues such as civil rights and financial transparency.”  

The Committee has since advised it would be inviting submissions on: The governance of the OTs, including their adherence to human rights frameworks; The benefits to the UK and the OTs of the relationship between them; The financing of the OTs; Representation of the OTs in the UK and in the Commonwealth and other international fora and; Assets and liabilities (including but not limited to ecological richness and the effects of extreme weather, and natural resources such as minerals and fish).”