UN reaffirms VI constitutional position & right to self-governance
Dr Wheatley attended the seminar on behalf of Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1).
UK urged to respect rights of VI
In a press release from Government on September 1, 2021, Dr Wheatley said the UN called on the UK to respect the UN Charter on decolonisation.
“The UN via the C-24 has again reaffirmed the right of the people of the British Virgin Islands to self-determination and for self-governance in the territory to be upheld.
“They have clearly called on the Administering Power, the United Kingdom (UK), to respect the UN Charter and international law which covers the special rights of the BVI and those societies on the UN list of Territories yet to be completely decolonised.
According to Dr Wheatley, this includes the VI’s current constitutional position and plans for Constitutional Review.
Matter of possible UK takeover after CoI raised
According to the press release, in his report to the committee on the progress of decolonisation and self-determination in the VI, the Deputy Premier highlighted concerns about the prospect of the territory’s autonomy being taken away following the completion of the ongoing Commission of Inquiry on the islands, despite the full cooperation of the elected Government.
“The sitting Government continues to cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry and is only seeking a just outcome. The process should not be used as a pretext by the UK to take away the autonomy of the local Government or as leverage to compel us to simply do as they wish, as opposed to engaging in dialogue.
“Moreover, the sitting Government should be allowed to exercise the maximum degree of self-governance permitted under the constitution. We are within our rights to do so,” Hon Wheatley said.
‘Plans for Constitutional Review should not be impeded by CoI’
He went on to say, “Furthermore, our plans for a Constitutional Review should not be impeded by the UK on the basis that they want to wait for the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry. The two things are mutually exclusive, and the UK should not be planning to capitalise on the Review as an opportunity to impose on us what they wish or to circumscribe the powers of the local Government. Rather, the aspirations of the Government and people of the British Virgin Islands should be the basis for any constitutional changes, which should proceed without delay.”
In light of the concerns expressed by the Deputy Premier and other representatives of the Overseas Territories which the UN says have yet to be decolonised, the C-24 agreed their conclusions and recommendations of the regional seminar.
The theme of the 2021 C-24 regional seminar on decolonisation was ‘Implementation of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.’
The Deputy Premier was joined by the Special Envoy of the Premier Mr E. Benito Wheatley.
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
19 Responses to “UN reaffirms VI constitutional position & right to self-governance”
Suggestion: Black for the people. Red for the blood our forefathers shed for us to be here. 4 black stars representing the four larger islands. Green for the land.
GUZ SAY IZZA MUST!
Your tenses are all over the place.
You’re welcome.
But on the flip side, VI government has no right to continue violating the rights of the people that has voted them to defend their rights.
It is not the UN that is feeling the pains of political mismanagement in the B.V.I, it is the majority of the people that has voted for them.
Valid. Question: is it fair that you have employed a group of persons to represent you best intrest, and the pay themselves financially, and not you their employer decide their financial worth? Is it "B.V.I LOVE" that huge amount of moneys remain unaccounted for, without probing investigation? Is it right for one-percenters continue uncheck in their discrimination mindset against the underprevilge in the name of so-called good governance? Oh no, this should not be allowed to continue.
In my opinion, the injustices against the majority of the people of the B.V.I should first be stopped, after that, we have the right to pursue independence from the UK.
In the order of priorities: Accountability right before right of independence should be preferred at this time in the B.V.I
nothing against NDP but the madness between London and road town began with NDP distancing themselves from the swear in of a new governor. London sent assistance for the people of this territory after the 2017 hurricanes but NDP refuse that much needed help; from then everything mash up
I know that no time in the future will any government cabinet leaders in the B.V.I agree to and do righteousness in full. So because they will not, independence should not for the B.V.I., because like you I know that their separatist behaviours will hinder righteous progress for all our people.