VIslanders describe UK-VI relationship as an 'abusive' one- UN’s C-24 Report
The visiting mission conducted meetings with various stakeholders in Tortola and Virgin Gorda, with some participants joining virtually from Anegada and Jost van Dyke. These stakeholders included individual citizens and representatives from youth, civil society, and faith-based organisations.
A ‘strained’ & ‘abusive’ relationship- Tortola residents
“The strained relationship between the British Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom was likened to an abusive relationship. It was argued that an abusive relationship could not be exited through negotiation; the British Virgin Islands thus had to leave the relationship,” the report stated.
It added that stakeholders emphasised the need for the UN to provide tangible financial and educational support to the Territories, raising the matter of the effectiveness of the Special Committee and the symbolic nature of its dialogue with the visiting mission.
While self-determination was desired, there was a question as to how to pursue that goal against a country that had withdrawn from the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee in 1986, the report continued.
“It was important to maintain the identity of the British Virgin Islands in any future relationship,” was the wish of Virgin Islanders, the report stated.
Concerns were also raised about the best path to self-determination, more specifically, a transitional period, free association, or direct independence.
“Stakeholders advocated for a thoughtful approach, including the development of a proper plan and constitution before moving forward.”
VG residents question benefits of a relationship with UK
In the UN’s C-24 visiting mission’s meeting in Virgin Gorda, the need for equality was emphasised.
“It was noted that individuals who had not been born in the British Virgin Islands did not enjoy the same benefits, such as pension eligibility after 30 years of service.”
Such inequality, the report added, could not be sustained if the Virgin Islands were to progress, and if those issues were not addressed, they would continue to affect others in the future.
Meanwhile, the benefits of the relationship with the UK were questioned, and it was noted that while tourism was vital, most revenue was derived from financial services, with London as a major competitor.
It continued that for decolonisation to be meaningful, structures supporting economic growth must be developed.
According to the report, the sentiment was also that, “It was important to give consideration to how people in the Territory treated each other because better treatment from others could not be expected if they did not treat themselves well."
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19 Responses to “VIslanders describe UK-VI relationship as an 'abusive' one- UN’s C-24 Report”
On the brink of an evermore possible WW3, and possible Global Economic Collapse over the next few years, should we go independent we lose our military support in a Caribbean that could very well turn into a military campgrounds and highway for warships of the likes.
Mr. Premier think about the consequence, stop doing thing for compliments.
So much little things
The UN C24 puts the people of the VI first.
The report also says, " Politics needed to be removed from the decolonization process."
It is time to stop the elite and leaders from controlling the narraive towards independence when it is supposed to be a narrative about self determination.
This is part of the Campaign to "Educate", all the "dumb" people who see that Independence would not be good for the VI people, only the elites.
The UN knows it is for the people to decide.
It is the Dictator of the Virgin Islands (Deputy P Frasers words) that will not allow that for knows the people do not want the Independence he craves to extend his power. (Talk about Colonial, that would set the country back 2 centuries.)
What the UN needs to do now is get the view of the people. They can do that by talking to them and seeing the results of a referendum. A commission that has a timetable for maximum time with politicians and minimum time with VIslanders, and from which the media picks out the one word abusive by one VIslander in the Tortola meeting and claims that is what VIslanders say is misleading, but part of the Campaign. To give an idea of how much the UN Commission listened to the people of the VI, this is the list of meetings from their visit.
A. Meeting with the Premier, ministers and junior ministers
B. Lunch meeting with the Financial Secretary, Cabinet Secretary and Permanent Secretaries
C. Meeting with the Member of the House of Assembly from the Third Electoral District
D. Meeting with the Speaker of the House and members of the Opposition
E. Meeting with statutory boards and constitutionally established bodies
F. Stakeholders meetings in Tortola and Virgin Gorda
1. Meeting in Tortola
2. Meeting in Virgin Gorda
G. Meeting with the Attorney General
H. Meeting with members of the Constitutional Review Commission
I. Meeting with the Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports
It does not look like the people of the VI get much of a voice. And when one VI voice is represented in the politically controlled media to be the voice of all VIslanders you can be sure we are being mislead.
It is now time to stop harassing the people of the B.V.I with false naratives to suit the minority of probably 10 or no more 20% of our people. Any rush for independence before proper preparation, and fairminded political leadership will be counter productive to the betterment of the people of the British Virgin Islands., truth.