VI’s inalienable right to self-determination reaffirmed by UN
It also further reaffirmed that it is ultimately for the people of the Virgin Islands to determine freely their future political status.
The UN body also called on the United Kingdom, in cooperation with the Government of the Virgin Islands and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination.
The full document can be accessed on http://overseasreview.blogspot.com/2016/08/british-virgin-islands-inalienable.html
The Special Committee on Decolonisation, also known as the Decolonisation Committee, was created in 1961 by the General Assembly of the United Nations with the purpose of monitoring implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and to make recommendations on its application.
Hoping to speed the progress of decolonisation, the General Assembly had adopted in 1960 the Resolution 1514, also known as the "Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples" or simply "Declaration on Decolonisation". It stated that all people have a right to self-determination and proclaimed that colonialism should be brought to a speedy and unconditional end.
Independence talks rife
Talks of independence and self-determination have been rife recently from both sides of the political aisle as well as from ordinary citizens.
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) and Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn have been leading the call for self-determination on behalf of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration.
And Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith finally weighed in on the conversation on July 31, 2016 during the Emancipation Service held at Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall, stating that with the recent Brexit vote by the United Kingdom, which would affect the Virgin Islands, now may be the ideal time to examine the topic.
He, however, reminded that self-determination was not a priority on the agenda during the constitutional review in 2007.
“As we continue to celebrate our progress, we must be mindful of knowing where we want to go and how to get there. Certainly, constitutional advance is pivotal to this direction. In the last constitutional review, the matter of political independence was clearly not a priority for this territory.”
“In fact, as the chairman of the commission recently reminded us, that subject was treated with just a couple of sentences. But he also reminded us that any decision for independence must be made via referendum – by all the people of the BVI together. But who knows? That priority might change,” Premier Smith had said.
Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) has also called for the conversation about self-determination to begin, noting that the territory’s leaders must have a clear understanding of what the people want.
And also at the Emancipation Service recently, Reverend Melvin A. Turnbull called for the establishment of a Commission on Independence to be made a priority by the current administration.
“These times call for strong leadership. We the people must wake up and start the conversation,” Mr Turnbull said.
Meanwhile, this news site sought to get comments from a cross section of persons on the publication by the United Nations Decolonisation Committee reaffirming the Virgin Islands’ inalienable right to self-determination, including Hon Fraser, Natalio D. Wheatley and Julio S. Henry, but did not receive a response up to time of publication.
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12 Responses to “VI’s inalienable right to self-determination reaffirmed by UN”
's budget, for example we would vote on the airport project!!!!!
Would consider certain changes or enactment of laws also, basically a partnership with the people, not the system we currently have now.
The people of this country have been calling out to the UK to stop the bad spending and to officially investigate Can you imagine how BVI would be if we were independent where our leaders would have a constitutional right to be dictators. We don't want independence we want answers on how our country got broke.
Thank goodness for UK for questioning how the airport is being considered. There isn't a sane (or humble) legislator in the lot!