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OECS blasts UK imposition, reserved Order in Council for direct rule in VI

- Reiterates that colonialism has no place in modern Caribbean democratic governance
The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has congratulated the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) for carrying out reforms in the best interest of the people, while at the same time blasting the UK for not only the reserved order in Council, but for undemocratically impose legislative and policy changes on the people of the VI. Photo: Internet Source
It added that it welcomes the reappointment of Dr. The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley as Premier of the Virgin Islands and his Administration's continued implementation of governance reforms in the best interest of the people. Photo: VINO/File
It added that it welcomes the reappointment of Dr. The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley as Premier of the Virgin Islands and his Administration's continued implementation of governance reforms in the best interest of the people. Photo: VINO/File
The OECS said it further urges the United Kingdom or the Governor on the island not to bypass the duly elected arm of the Government to undemocratically impose legislative and policy changes on the people of the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/Facebook
The OECS said it further urges the United Kingdom or the Governor on the island not to bypass the duly elected arm of the Government to undemocratically impose legislative and policy changes on the people of the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/Facebook
CASTRIES, St, Lucia – The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has congratulated the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) for carrying out reforms in the best interest of the people, while at the same time blasting the UK for not only the reserved Order in Council, but for undemocratically imposing legislative and policy changes on the people of the VI.

The OECS Authority made the statement on Thursday, July 13, 2023 and came as part of the Authority’s Seventy-Third (73rd) meeting and discussions of the Situation of the Virgin Islands. 

The OECS said it celebrates the historical, cultural, legal, economic, political, and familial bonds that the Virgin Islands shares with the OECS family in the Eastern Caribbean and congratulates the people and Government of the British Virgin Island on the peaceful, free, and fair General Election held on April 24, 2023. 

Re-election of Dr Wheatley welcomed - OECS 

It added that they “welcome the reappointment of Dr. The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley as Premier of the British Virgin Islands and his Administration's continued implementation of governance reforms in the best interest of the people of the British Virgin Islands while hailing the commitment of the democratically elected arm of Government to continue public consultations on proposed reforms that will directly affect the people of the society.

As it relates to the COI reform process, the OECS said it hails the Government of the Virgin Islands' progress in implementing the Framework for Implementation, Recommendations, and Other Reforms.

However, the United Kingdom was called upon remove its Order in Council in reserve to immediately impose direct rule over the people of the Virgin Islands at its discretion.

No UK impositions - OECS 

The OECS  said it further “Urges the United Kingdom or the Governor on the island not to bypass the duly elected arm of the Government to undemocratically impose legislative and policy changes on the people of the British Virgin Islands.”

Meanwhile, the OECS Authority said it further encourages the United Kingdom to provide the Government of the Virgin Islands with any requested technical assistance to support governance reform. 

The OECS in its message to the UK also reiterated that colonialism has no place in modern democratic governance in the Caribbean and encourages all concerned to agree a clear and responsible path for the people of the Virgin Islands to achieve a full measure of self-government in line with the UN-sanctioned options available to the Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs) under international law.

Finally, the OECS Authority called for the people of the Virgin Islands' inalienable right to self-determination enshrined in the UN Charter, and reaffirmed by the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, to be respected and the international principle of self-governance to be upheld in the islands.

The OECS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Virgin Islands at annual sessions of the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24), UN Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonisation), UN General Assembly, along with the C-24 regional seminars on decolonisation.

36 Responses to “OECS blasts UK imposition, reserved Order in Council for direct rule in VI”

  • GCB (15/07/2023, 12:37) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wait, the order in council still in place?
    • @ gcb (15/07/2023, 13:45) Like (13) Dislike (10) Reply
      Yes it’s still there because of worthless ranking
      • Josiahsbay (15/07/2023, 17:44) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
        It's there because we don't have the backbone to fight against it. We have a strong case against it!
        • @ Josiahsbay (15/07/2023, 19:23) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
          You are so correct. The order of council is actions that support slavery in all forms. It is wrong. Our leaders need to get up and stand up and fight against this colonial behavior. I am seeing more and more why they wanted Fahie out of the way. I was not a full fan of his but for he fought for his people against this colonial plot to enslave us once again.
  • No teeth (15/07/2023, 12:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    OR ELSE WHA?
  • BVI love (15/07/2023, 12:44) Like (12) Dislike (11) Reply
    We stand with the OECS
  • NO INDEPENDENCE (15/07/2023, 12:49) Like (31) Dislike (8) Reply
    We sticking with the UK because the politicians too darm thief
    • @NO INDEPENDENCE (15/07/2023, 21:11) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
      Thank god you are in the minority as if the UK officials are soooo honest.
  • Just like the BVI (15/07/2023, 12:51) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    If your staff is stealing from your company it will soon go bankrupt.
  • WE WANT (15/07/2023, 12:52) Like (9) Dislike (18) Reply
    SONIA WEBSTER OR TAMIA RICHARDS FOR THE NEXT GOVERNOR
  • WHAT!!! (15/07/2023, 13:29) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply
    Has anyone in the OECS read the report from Ms. Webster detailing the total corruption going on here?
    • TO WHAT!!! (15/07/2023, 21:14) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
      You could tell you did not read the report because it did not find any criminal activity nor corruption more than some actions outside of regular policy which happened worldwide dealing with covid which was the worse pandemic in the last 100yrs and all governments did what was necessary to save their people's lives, livelihood, and the economy.
      • ... (17/07/2023, 12:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        you right! save "their people" as in the friends and family of themselves! while poor people suffered and their friends and families colelcted thousands of dollars! yeah they saved their livelihoods alright! but they didnt do nothing wrong! what the heck do we know anyway right?!? smh
  • @ we want (15/07/2023, 14:47) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    @We want, hope you are not holding your breath, for you will soon expire. We need to understand that these people are not into you. They have a superior and entitled and privileged air about them and used you for bring cum and carry. Colonialism and slavery employed the same tactics. They used some Sambos to pursue their goals for a little meritorious manumission. You got it.
  • mad max (15/07/2023, 15:58) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    Tell the OECS to read the Audit Report. We are hopeful that under the order real change can be made and this ongoing corruption can be stopped.
  • Agreeable One (15/07/2023, 16:35) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
    The thoughts on this issue is truly amazing. While I understand the valid concerns about our leaders/politicians we should never lose sight of self governance. Every people in the planet are entitled to live free. Those of you that oppose the move to independence is actually supporting colonialism. Those of us who really care about human rights and these beautiful islands we call home should use our energy to get “things” right. That is the right thing to do. I say that knowing that there are lots among us not from here that really hate us and there are also those not from here that truly care about this BVI. Please let’s do the right thing. Colonialism can never be right!
  • haitian (15/07/2023, 17:04) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can the OECS please help Haiti? After all it is one of their members.
    • @ Haitian (15/07/2023, 19:55) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      So we must clean up white supremacy and exploitation by France and the USA in Haiti? Unfair check the history and how Haiti got there fool
  • People (15/07/2023, 19:25) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    Too much talk against this evil method. Time for action. It must be removed immediately.
  • Youth talking (15/07/2023, 19:26) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
    The post of Governor needs to be an elected position.
  • My Issue (15/07/2023, 19:29) Like (21) Dislike (8) Reply
    The issue I have with the Audit and the COI process and recommendations is that in the 21st century they did not allow for due process. These people can be sued for some of the things they did, wrote, and concluded. They feel protected by the Governor through his high-handed slave tool 'order in council' because they are all part of an ongoing plot that ignores the poor stewardship and accountability of Governors and Commissioner of police. There needs to be balance.
  • My take again (15/07/2023, 19:38) Like (8) Dislike (9) Reply
    Every time I see or hear about the Governor and UK and think of he and his UK modern day slavery whip with the pending order in council for the financial services and the constitution I get annoyed. No one who supports democracy should EVER support orders in council. I am for good governance, but this is abuse of governance. An order in council is not right and MUST be done away with IMMEDIATELY. This action says that a one man can take away our constitution and let a one man who is not elected by the people rule us. This is saying the people's voices at the polls does not matter and is not reflective of democracy. This is saying that once he is not satisfied with our judiciary system, laws, polices, and way of life, he can take over and dictate to us what and how they see we should act and what rights we can have, THIS IS WRONG!!! RISE UP BVI!!! THIS NEEDS ADDRESSING NOW!!!
  • OECS hypocrisy (15/07/2023, 20:21) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    Why the OECS does not blast the BVI government for the way their citizens are treated here, eg the approving of belongers status.
    • @OECS hypocrisy (15/07/2023, 21:17) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Oh, please as if they or the UK are any better with immigrants living among them for years. The BVI has done well by all the people especially when they regularized 1500 all one time just a few years ago. Stop telling lies and being ungrateful.
  • question (15/07/2023, 21:21) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    We know what high handed powers the Governor and UK has if elected officials and the people of the BVI & OTS seem to have gone wrong or done wrong but what powers exist by law and by the people when we are wronged by the Governor and the UK and when they do wrong. This alone shows this is not a modern partnership. I have never met a perfect human being yet but somehow the Governor and UK portray themselves to some of us as such. This is a slave master mentality they continued to have 400yrs later. Independence is the only way as they WILL NEVER CHANGE!
  • Yes to UK (15/07/2023, 22:05) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    The order of council is there because our politicians can’t be trussed. The Premier is like a baby crying to all of you but none of you can do anything about the order in council. The people of the British Virgin Island have been ripped off for years by these so called Politicians and its time the UK did something about it. St, Lucia you have your own problems so take care of them before you start getting into our business, all of you independent Caribbean islands you need to find work for your people before you start worrying about the BVI
  • Young lady question to UK (16/07/2023, 00:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why can't people from the Caribbean be Governors? Why can't black people be Governors? Why only now the first Lady is Governor in 2020? The UK is not doing good by the Caribbean people. This seems to be oppression dressed up as good governance with the smell of slavery camflouged as our saviors.
  • To OECS & CARICOM (16/07/2023, 00:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do any of you think if you did not get your independence before now the UK would give it to you? The answer is NO. Behind closed doors they feel all Caribbean and African countries are corrupt and dumb. They have a superior complex that will never change.
  • ,,,,,,,,,, (16/07/2023, 02:08) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    ......who cares about what the oecs has to say, or Caricom for that matter?
  • My goodness ???? (16/07/2023, 04:09) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    But now ah days when you miss a BVIslander who doesn't have US citizenship, where do you think they are? In the same so called oppressors County, the United Kingdom.
    The hypocrisy in this place makes the damn darg sick.
  • @ BVI LOVE ? (16/07/2023, 13:50) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    SO ALL OF A SUDDEN , ITS ( OECS & CARICOM PEOPLE ) WE CALL THEM ISLAND PEOPLE AND THEY AIN'T VALU ANYTHING ~》 THATS STRANGE , ???? , / ALL THE TIME ITS THEM ISLAND PEOPLE , NEXT ITS CARIBBEAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND NOW ITS OECS & CARICOM PEOPLE , ONLY WHEN WE NEED THEIR SUPPORT , WHAT A SET OF HYPOCRITES / WHAT ELSE ARE WE GOING TO CALL OUR AFRICAN ANCESTORS DECENDANTS ? ? ? •¿•
  • Clearly (16/07/2023, 14:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Clearly the same person or PR team blogging over and over and over again in favor of the Governor and UK rule because the majority of people of the BVI do not blog, and they are not in favor of the actions of the UK and not in favor of UK rule.
  • Eldread (18/07/2023, 20:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Boy oh boy them oecs minister of independent countries are blasting UK from straighten out the corruption issues in the BVI because the business register hides a lot ot of shell company's with money they steal in Antigua and Dominica etc.


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