UN adopts resolution against UK Order in Council & Direct Rule
This comes after the UN at its 77th session of the General Assembly in New York restated it is deeply concerned that the United Kingdom is holding an Order in Council in reserve to impose direct rule on the people of the British Virgin Islands at its discretion.
The resolution takes note of the agreement of the administering Power (UK) to the proposal by the territorial Government of National Unity on the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry without the need for a temporary partial suspension of the Constitution.
It also expressed concern that the administering Power put an Order in Council on hold to partially suspend the Constitution if the Government of the United Kingdom assesses that the implementation of the recommendations does not proceed satisfactorily.
The resolution further Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of the Virgin Islands to self-determination, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and it Also reaffirms that, in the process of decolonization of the British Virgin Islands, there is no alternative to the principle of self-determination, which is also a fundamental human right, as recognized under the relevant human rights conventions.
The resolution further Reaffirms the
inalienable right of the people of the Virgin Islands to
self-determination, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations
and with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), containing the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and
Peoples and it Also reaffirms that, in the process of decolonization of
the British Virgin Islands, there is no alternative to the principle of
self-determination, which is also a fundamental human right, as
recognized under the relevant human rights conventions.
VI people must freely determine future political status- UN
The resolution further added that, “Further reaffirms that it is ultimately for the people of the British Virgin Islands to determine freely their future political status in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter, the Declaration and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, and in that connection calls upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political status options, based on the principles clearly defined in Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) and other relevant resolutions and decisions."
It pointed to the 2007 Constitution of the Virgin Islands and stresses the importance of continued discussions on constitutional matters, to accord greater responsibility to the territorial Government for the effective implementation of the Constitution and increased levels of education relating to constitutional matters.
The resolution also called for the full respect of the Constitution and the mutual agreement with respect to the recommendations of the report of the Commission of Inquiry and calls upon all parties involved to maintain dialogue and work in partnership in the interest of the people of the Territory.
