-
by pltm
(PLTM) - Opposition Leader, Hon. Andrew Fahie has taken the first jump at efforts to ensure that residents take part in the upcoming crucial review by the United Kingdom (UK) of its relationship with Overseas Territories (OTs), including the BVI. To this end, Hon. Fahie announced that he will be forming select committees to examine the various areas, including the British Nationality Act; the Constitution; human rights; the role of the Governor; and the rule of Law. Town hall meetings will also be held with residents across the Territory.
The United Kingdom Foreign Affairs (FAC) office has formed a select committee to conduct an inquiry on the future of the UK Overseas Territories, and the committee has stated that the deadline for written evidence for the inquiry is September 3rd, 2018.
“In view of the September 3rd deadline and given the far-reaching consequences of this inquiry, I as L.O.T.O. have deemed it appropriate and critical to gather the views of VI citizens and Belongers from the widest corners of the Territory and in various locations throughout the United States and the UK. In this regard, I hereby announce that I shall form select committees and shall conduct town hall meetings in Tortola; Virgin Gorda; Anegada; Jost Van Dyke; and St. Thomas,” Hon. Fahie said in a statement.
He continued, “The aim of the meetings shall be to solicit and document the views of citizens throughout the Territory. All attempts would also be made to receive and submit the views of Virgin Islands citizens living or studying in the USA, UK or further afield. Public announcement of the date, time and venue for each meeting will be forthcoming.”
The Opposition Leader said that of late, a number of concerns have been voiced in regards to the BVI’s Constitution; the protocol document; the British Nationality Act; human rights; the role of the Governor; the rule of law; adherence to the concept of transparency and accountability; the British response to natural disasters; freedom of information and; many other pertinent topics affecting the lives of residents and the stability of Territory.
Hon. Fahie explained that once compiled, all views would be cataloged and presented to the Foreign Affairs Committee before the September 3rd deadline.
“In so doing, the concerns cited by our people would be incorporated with those of the remaining 13 Overseas Territories…It is my view that this gives the citizens and residents of the Virgin Islands a golden opportunity to participate and share their views in determining the future of the relationship between the UK and the Virgin Islands,” he said.
Why The Review
The UK has stated that in recent years, the OTs have been exposed to shocks, from the Panama Papers in 2015, to the Brexit vote in 2016, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. This led some OTs to question the government’s willingness to support them.
Further, that relations have been put under further strain due to high-profile instances of divergence between the UK and some of the OTs on issues such as civil rights and financial transparency.
The committee has further advised that it welcomes written submissions on the governance of the OTs, including their adherence to human rights frameworks; the benefits to the UK and the OTs of the relationship between them; the financing of the OTs; representation of the OTs in the UK and in the Commonwealth and other international fora and; assets and liabilities (including but not limited to ecological richness and the effects of extreme weather, and natural resources such as minerals and fish).
-----
Copyright 2023 by Virgin Islands Platinum News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
