VI is 'hindered' being an OT- UN C-24 Report
This is cited in the United Nations (UN) Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) ‘Report of the United Nations visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands, 26 to 27 August 2024’, in the section titled ‘Meeting with the Premier, ministers and a junior minister’.
According to the report, seen by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), those present discussed challenges the VI faces in accessing development and climate financing, which was hindered by the Territory’s status.
“For example, the British Virgin Islands had not been eligible for international support following the damage caused by Hurricane Maria. The Territory had petitioned the United Nations on that issue, and they were jointly developing a road map for better access to development finance to support the sustainable development of the Territory,” the report said.
It added that one member present pointed out that the Disaster Management Act, 2019, had not been assented to “because the Governor wanted to retain control even if that did not fall constitutionally under his remit”.
UK more focused on ticking boxes
Another interlocutor accused the UK of often focusing on “ticking boxes” instead of focusing on how the people of the VI could grow and progress.
“The people were limited by the form of democracy they were in, and there was a ceiling beyond which they had no power. They often had to defer to more powerful authorities.”
While the report did not name any of the ministers or junior ministers who made certain comments, it added that one individual was of the view that the UK had also failed to meet its obligations.
This was defended by citing insufficient security resources and ongoing issues such as firearms smuggling and trafficking, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
They also spoke of the differences in culture, values, and agenda between the UK and the VI.
“One interlocutor considered that the values of the Virgin Islands were valid and stressed their need to be recognised as a people. Another stated that same-sex marriage was being imposed by the administering Power against the will of the people of the Territory and proposed a referendum as a better way to address that issue.”
Other issues which came up were the Territory’s reliance on the UK to ratify conventions, the people of the Virgin Islands missing out on numerous opportunities for training and capacity-building owing to their status as a Territory, and the UK’s hold of significant power to influence the Territory’s economy.
A new relationship model
One member suggested that maybe it was time to consider a new relationship model and called for the establishment of a modern partnership with the UK.
This would be based on the pillars of sustainable development, climate resilience, economic resilience, and self-determination.
Another shared that the constitutional advances of the Territory went hand in hand with economic advancements and recognised that political independence might result in additional advances that it did not currently have.
Opposition agrees
Meanwhile, during the mission’s meeting with the Speaker of the House and Members of the Opposition, the complex relationship between the VI and the UK was brought up, with one member noting a “lack of identity alignment with the United Kingdom and the perceived neglect and hands-off approach by the United Kingdom in assisting the Territory. In that regard, the interlocutor saw no benefit to being British”.
They also noted that the VI’s infrastructure and development had been achieved through its own hard work and resources, without British assistance.
The report stated, “It was also pointed out that while the Territory had to construct a hospital using its own resources, a jail had been built for the Territory by the United Kingdom.”
The observation shared by members was also that the Territory had been able to make more progress as it was given more constitutional powers and authority.
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8 Responses to “VI is 'hindered' being an OT- UN C-24 Report”
How can the same white man we so resent as colonialism guide you to independence? Look those documents and ideas will be elongated with hidden colonial clauses that need deep legal interpretation, and when the BVI will eventually join the eastern Caribbean central bank to make ECD dollars their currency, the few rich family of the BVI will become instant billionaires during the currency conversion, and hardship on the common people.
Look my advise is to dig out the UK eye first as how woman does do to man, let them finance and build a bridge to virgin Gorda and jost van dyke, some real massive infrastructure that will propel tourism that is your main income, because the financial system will due slowly, proper power generation with sea cable to anegorda, build the infrastructure and the people themselves will ask for independence.
The UK build the prison as that comes under the security of the country portfolio, health is under the governments portfolio . Let them pass it to the UK and see our healthcare become much better...