UK's roadmap report is 'recolonisation in disguise'- Hon de Castro
Hon de Castro’s statements came during the Continuation of the 2nd Sitting of the 5th House, on April 10, 2025, as members debated the report titled Review of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Bodies in the British Virgin Islands, Volume II: A Roadmap for 2025 to 2035, calling it “recolonisation in disguise” and questioning the UK’s motives and track record.
According to Minister de Castro, “Colonialism is not dead but we have to be honest in saying that it’s evolving- and in some instances, it now wears suits and ties.”
Dissecting the report’s content and language, she asserted that the recommendations effectively strip power from local elected officials, centralise authority in the Governor’s unelected office, and further entrench colonial control under the guise of reform.
Power Shift
She, as such, challenged the premise of the report, which recommends transferring increased strategic and operational control over law enforcement to the Governor and externally recruited ‘experts’ despite what she characterised as the Governor’s own inadequate track record in managing those areas.
Using an anecdote, likening the situation to a long-suffering patient being told to trust the same doctor who had misdiagnosed them for years, de Castro quipped, “Wouldn’t you say, wait — how does that make any sense at all? Or in all colloquial terms, does that make sense?”
She elaborated, “If you really look at the report…that is exactly what is being proposed for the Virgin Islands. The Governor, whose office has overseen law enforcement for quite some time… is being asked to take on even more control, despite a clear track record for lack of real progress.”
Excluding Locals
Among the more alarming elements of the report, according to Hon de Castro, is its approach to workforce composition in law enforcement — particularly the suggestion that locals, or “belongers” are not sufficiently skilled for senior roles and should be replaced, at least temporarily, by external personnel.
“It is a shame that in April 2025 — after 12 years of not having a local commissioner — that all of a sudden, what should have been done then will be done now. I’m not convinced. And I’m not convinced based on the track record that is before us.”
To this end, firmly rejected the report’s rationale, stating, “..you cannot rebuild trust in the police force by excluding locals from its leadership. The recipe for that is not exclusion.”
The Minister also took offence at the report’s suggestion that placing belongers in senior roles too early would “set them up to fail.”
She challenged this, reiterating, “...support means strengthening from within, not replacing from without. We should train them, and we should trust them. We should not exclude them.”
Retaliatory & Demanding
The Minister also openly questioned the spirit in which the report was crafted, stating it was neither suggestive nor collaborative, but rather, “very demanding in its language, not suggestive or collaborative in its approach — but very retaliatory.”
Observing the ‘glaring’ contradiction between the Governor’s public statement that “collaboration is at the heart of this programme” and the actual recommendations, which she claimed demonstrate the opposite, she said, “Collaboration by definition implies shared power, shared responsibility, and shared decision making; They are removing responsibility from elected officials and handing strategic authority over to the Governor. You cannot call that collaboration.”
According to the Minister, there is a dire need for local empowerment, capacity-building, and true democratic engagement, adamant, “Recognition must come with empowerment. It can’t just be words… If the community is essential, we have to involve the community more.
She insisted, “We want better law enforcement, safer communities, stronger institutions. But we want to be a part of the cure; The people of the Virgin Islands must be central to the solution. We will not sit and allow persons to write us out of the solutions that will be brought out of this report.”
According to Minister De Castro, “As Virgin Islanders, we want to heal. We want to get better. But we want to be a part of the cure.”
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38 Responses to “UK's roadmap report is 'recolonisation in disguise'- Hon de Castro ”
Waste thinking
https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2024/08/06/former-bvi-premier-sentenced-prison-conspiring-import-cocaine-us
Colonization asperat must not be allowed to be accepted in the 21st century now where on this earth.
God gave man rulership over to rule over the fish, and other living creatures, but not to rule over other humans, as if they were sheep ready for shearing their wool for monetary profit to the highest bidder.
We will never agree to any recolonization of the B.V.I, as was in the past. Feir partnership, rather than wickedship, and unfair bullying by the UK'S government inferior over the B.V.I peoples rights to freedom of choice of destruction.
Darkness has covered the land ..
Where is the sun no where to be found!!!!!
A lil sweet life, a lil ray of hope. our north coast prosperity.. we are not done yet!!!help us Jaja…..let the sun shine true …we have work to do…
We need a freedom of information act to become law to really find out what the current leaders discuss and promise London..in the beginning…providing is does not interfere with national security issues..cause they are not going to volunteer or tell us…
Nothing……..
Please everyone exhale close your eyes…do not rush true this simple exercise!!!!!!take your time cause you want it to have a significant meaning on your psyche !!!!!!!
And when you are done..
Say a prayer for the beginning the end and the future of these beloved …..VI for life…
Let ‘s save our energy for the real war/fight that is inevitable … with Jaja on our side we shall survive/prevail….
(Vi for life)…
What role does the (UK) play in aiding the British Virgin Islands toward self-determination?
ChatGPT said:
The United Kingdom (UK), as the administering power of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), plays a significant yet complex role in the territory’s path toward self-determination. Here's a breakdown of that role:
1. Constitutional Framework and Governance
The UK provides a constitutional framework for the British Virgin Islands. The most recent Constitution Order (2007) outlines the distribution of powers between the local government and the UK-appointed Governor, who represents the British monarch.
Local Autonomy: The BVI has its own elected government, which manages most domestic affairs.
UK Oversight: The Governor, appointed by the UK, retains responsibility for external affairs, defense, internal security (including the police), and the public service. This means the UK maintains ultimate authority, particularly in matters that may affect national interests or international obligations.
2. Support for Good Governance and Rule of Law
The UK often steps in to ensure accountability and transparency, especially when governance issues arise. A notable example:
In 2022, a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into corruption and misgovernance in the BVI, initiated by the UK, led to the recommendation of temporarily suspending the local constitution. While full suspension was not enacted, this move demonstrated the UK's willingness to intervene when democratic principles are seen to be at risk.
3. International Obligations and the UN
As a member of the United Nations, the UK has responsibilities under Chapter XI of the UN Charter, which calls on administering powers to promote the development of self-government in non-self-governing territories like the BVI.
The UK is expected to report to the UN Decolonization Committee (C-24) on progress toward self-governance.
The UK is also expected to facilitate a legitimate process of self-determination, which may include independence, free association, or integration with another state—based on the wishes of the people of the BVI.
5. Facilitating Self-Determination
The UK states that it supports the BVI’s right to self-determination, but that any move toward independence must be initiated and supported by the people of the territory.
If the people of the BVI express a clear desire for independence, the UK is obligated under international law to facilitate a fair and informed process—including referendums and public education.
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This Territory do not make Firearms yet ever so often persons are arrested for possession of firearms:
And then community that going support this non sense is the same ones crying out that them can't raise minimum wage from how long now.
Y'all get lash from your own then turning around and saying UK trying take over. Craziness mehson. Y'all be ezy ig
I hope all the other elected officials can share their same sentiments as The Hon DeCastro. And I hope that the Premier can stand 100 with hon Decastro.in the last 15 yrs these governor's and police Commissioner have failed their leadership roles. Its time for us to put the acting bullsh** in the past we have capable educated people here that can do the jobs
IM AN EXPAT LIVING IN TOLA
Seems to me claims that the UK wants to take over are a knee jerk reaction to BVI govt being told by the UK to clean up its act and to start governing in the greater interest of the electorate instead of elected politicians.
Digressing, she has done her homework on the policy in question. She is on point. Let’s take a peek on what she said: “ According to the Minister, there is a dire need for local empowerment, capacity-building, and true democratic engagement, adamant, “Recognition must come with empowerment. It can’t just be words… If the community is essential, we have to involve the community more.
She insisted, “We want better law enforcement, safer communities, stronger institutions. But we want to be a part of the cure; The people of the Virgin Islands must be central to the solution. We will not sit and allow persons to write us out of the solutions that will be brought out of this report.”
According to Minister De Castro, “As Virgin Islanders, we want to heal. We want to get better. But we want to be a part of the cure.”
The UK as the ‘ Administering Power’ under UN directive is responsible for guiding the VI towards a full measure of self -governance. Well,,the constitution, CoI, and this judicial recommendations don’t meet both the intent and spirit of guiding the VI towards a full measure of self-governance. The entities being hired to conduct independent investigations are nothing but,,for they are part and parcel align with the wishes of Mount Olympus.
THOSE THAT IS NOT EXPOSED AS ( YET ) WILL SOON COME TO LIGHT , SO THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO PROTECT / KAMA IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER / THAT CHILD IS JUST A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR THATS TRYING TO MAKE IT LOOK REAL JUST LIKE THE NOTORIOUS ONE , WHO USE TO GO DOWN ON HIS KNEES AND HOLLER OUT LIKE HE WAS GOD'S DECIPLE / WHICH WE ALL KNOW BY NOW WHO'S DECIPLE HE BELONGS TO