CARICOM says Order in Council is a ‘blunt colonial instrument’

CARICOM has once again called on the United Kingdom (UK) to remove the Order in Council, which gives the UK-appointed Governor the power to suspend the Virgin Islands (VI) constitution and impose direct rule if he is not pleased with the process of implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations.

The regional body also reaffirmed its commitment to support the VI at the relevant United Nations fora on decolonisation.

According to a communique issued at the conclusion of the Forty-Fourth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held in The Bahamas from February 15-17, 2023, CARICOM Heads of Government received an update from the Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) on the governance situation of the VI.

It said Heads of Government commended the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Wheatley and his Administration for the “good progress” made in implementing governance reforms and firm commitment to consulting the people of the VI in the process.

‘Remove the Order’- CARICOM to UK

They called on the United Kingdom to remove the Order in Council in reserve to impose direct rule on the people of the VI “which is a blunt colonial instrument that has no place in democratic governance.”

Heads of Government also endorsed the United Nations resolution on the Question of the [British] Virgin Islands adopted by the 77th UN General Assembly on December 12, 2022 that, among other things reaffirmed the right of the Territory to self-determination.

CARICOM Heads of Government, according to the Communique, also welcomed the upcoming General Election in the VI that is constitutionally due by May 12, 2023.

Meanwhile, the CARICOM summit in The Bahamas was also attended by the Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Justin P.J. Trudeau, PC, MP.

Heads of Government also received a virtual presentation from the President of the Ukraine, His Excellency Volodymyr O. Zelenskyy.

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) gave an update on the governance situation of the Virgin Islands at the Forty-Fourth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM held in The Bahamas from February 15-17, 2023.

Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Justin P.J. Trudeau, PC, MP at the opening of the Forty-Fourth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in The Bahamas on February 15, 2023.