Since learning of Cabinet’s “compassionate” consideration to approve belongership for two criminals, one being a convicted rapist, residents have been openly speaking out against what they are calling an “abuse of privilege” by legislators.
The situation was once again brought to the forefront when examined during the Commission of Inquiry’s September 28th hearing.
Minister of Labor, Immigration and Natural Resources defended Cabinet’s decision to offer compassionate consideration on the basis that the convict’s family were residents in the BVI.
COI Attorney Bilal Rawat asked Minister Wheatley, “What is the basis on which Cabinet can reasonably reach a conclusion that a rapist should have the sacred gift of belongership?
Minister Wheatley, bothered by the term “rapist” responded “You keep using the word ‘the rapist’ and I have to see the person as a human being that made a mistake. We have to show our human side. His family is here in the BVI. It was more of a humanitarian gesture; if I am not mistaken, the person was supposed to serve the jail time here, so it is not like we are putting them out of jail. Things happen in life.”
When pressed by Mr. Rawat on the governing law that says in order to be considered for belongership, persons must be ordinarily resident in the BVI for 20 years, Honorable Wheatley responded ““Like I said, other considerations were given in this particular case like family ties. I think when we envisioned the Fast Track [initiative] I don’t think anyone expected something like this to show up. I think it surprised all of us. It sprung upon us, and we had to make a decision; it was not an easy decision to make.”
The Immigration Minister also revealed that the family of the convict bypassed the Immigration board and approach the Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honorable Andrew Fahie, sympathetically requesting that their son serve his sentence at Her Majesty’s Prison.
Premier Fahie at the time noted, while he is doesn’t condone crime, the BVI was the only home the rapist knew.
Considerations were given by Cabinet despite disapproval by then Cabinet Chair and Acting Governor, Rosalie Adams who contended that the BVI should not be a dumping ground for non-law abiding citizens.
The Minister’s evidence shared in the COI hearing has resulted in major public backlash by persons who believe that these decisions were unconscionable.
BVI resident and Chairman of the BVI Marine Association, Andrew Ball within a Facebook post said “Little did I know, after spending 13 years trying to better the BVI, the secret to Belonger status is apparently to go and commit a serious crime in another country, get convicted and incarcerated and then request “compassionate” consideration in regards to status. How is it that a country rewards criminals and penalizes those who work to help their community?”
Under his post another person opined “Makes no sense. If those same people committed the crimes in the BVI, they would be deported. I have friends who have been deported for less.”
Adding also to the conversation was a BVIslander who said “I just heard this story in its entirety and I condemn wat happened but I also condemn our ‘surprise’.
This is exactly what our culture allows:
- Rape
- ‘Who you know means it’s okay’
I think people will find the particulars even more interesting. It’s a story of abuse of privilege all around.”
Another BVIslander who is also a survivor of sexual molestation told our newsroom this case reiterates how much we “condone rape” as a community. She added that for this very reason, victims are reluctant to come forward, fearful that more consideration would be given to perpetrators rather than victims.
Some residents believe these considerations were a slap in the face of law-abiding residents who would have lived and contributed significantly to the fabric of the BVI, some of whose applications were denied for residency or belongership status.
The situation in question was one of two criminal cases considered under the then Government launched “fast-tracked” program to address an age-old backlog of applications for belongership and residency status.
During the recent COI hearing, Minister Wheatley said he doesn’t recall if belongership status was granted or whether the cases were deferred.
When asked by Attorney Bilal Rawat whether Belonger status is considered a significant, Minister Wheatley responded “absolutely, it should be treated sacredly.”
He also told the COI that considerations were given to both criminals because they were considered to be of “good character”.
The COI hearings scheduled this week deal with the system under which the BVI Government enters into contracts both in general and in relation to specific contracts, Belongership, Leases and Crown Land.