Public input needed to advance Constitutional Review process- Dr Pickering
The former legislator also reminded that enshrined in the Virgin Islands Constitution, is several rights and privileges of Virgin Islanders, including the right to freedom of expression and assembly for the cause.
Dr Pickering was at the time speaking on the Constitutional Review process during the Monday, October 12, 2020, edition of the Umoja show, alongside host Cromwell Smith aka ‘Edju En ka’.
Advancing Constitutional Review
He said for the process to advance, locals must assemble to make an input and this he said, would send a message to the UK about the desires of the territory.
“Chapter two of the Constitution speaks clearly to the rights and privileges of the individual and that's where it's enshrined.”
“In fact, it’s one longest chapter in the Constitution, it speaks to the environment, it speaks to freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom from discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation and religious beliefs...” Dr Pickering said.
However, according to Mr Smith, Virgin Islanders seem to be exhibiting some amount of fear when it comes to assembling for input on the process.
Exercising fundamental rights
Dr Pickering said Section 2 of the Constitution speaks loudly on the rights of Virgin Islanders, “so you have a right to freedom of expression, that is your fundamental right,” he said regarding the need to assembl on the constitutional review.
However; he said, it is the laws that guide how persons may exercise their rights and privileges.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) during a sitting of the House of Assembly on June 11, 2020, explained that it is important that the public prepares to take part in the review while encouraging the populace to read and review the current VI Constitution Order 2007.
“This means refamiliarising ourselves with what currently exists in the Constitution so that we are able as a people to conduct a comprehensive review to determine whether it is a strategic fit to facilitate the achievement of the aspirations of Virgin Islanders and Belongers,” he said.
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15 Responses to “Public input needed to advance Constitutional Review process- Dr Pickering”
@@ Rubber Duck: "...voters don’t have the physical and mentality capacity to review and decide on issues..."
You are both essentially saying the same thing here. Mainly, that the wider population is not informed/ educated enough/ capable (i.e., possessing the capacity) to decide on matters/ issues.
That being the case, rather than arguing as to whether 'referenda are dangerous things' (which is akin to saying that 'elections are dangerous things' because the voting population elects a despot, for example), perhaps the better thing to consider would be:
1. Public education on the matters/ issues to be considered - radio, television and media campaigns
2. Public engagement in public forums such as community centres and radio shows where everyone can call in and contribute to the discussion.
We are quite keen as a community to wear purple/blue/red for a month or hold competitions for public engagement or have media features for certain worthy causes and to raise awareness of issues in the community. A matter as important as this (the future direction of the country and the legislation which will govern that direction) is no less deserving of our time and attention and CANNOT be left merely to those in HOA. Let the public education and engagement activities be for a month at the minimum and see how things change when a community is actually given a real opportunity to decide their future as opposed to box-ticking lip-service and 'done deals'.
Here is what Rubber Duck said, “The public is not always well enough informed to decide such matters."
Here is what I said, “The VI does not have a representative democracy because voters don’t have the physical and mentality capacity to review and decide on issues but rather for governing practicality.”
Are these two things saying the same thing? No. The VI has a representative democracy as other countries because of practicality.
Persons who belong to the BVI and Island people and expatriates, have the same fundamental rights and freedoms. ok. The only clause,is that a person born here cannot get deported.
Chapter 2 states-"Whereas EVERY PERSON in the Virgin Islands are ENTITLED to the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the INDIVIDUAL". Not Virgin Islanders only.ALL individuals in the BVI
Thats why Island people and expatriates are discriminated against, because you people thinking that they dont have rights because they not from here.you wrong.
because discrimination is a contravention of one of the many fundamental rights in the Constitution.
The Constitution is good just how it is: is just that people in authority continue to contravene the fundamental rights and freedoms of Island people and expatriates in the BVI.That is the only problem,because,if they take action,you will deport them before the case call.Racist.