Deputy Premier and Minister of Education and Culture Dr. The Honourable Natalio Wheatley has said that the Commission of Inquiry report should not affect the rights of the BVI people.
Dr. Wheatley comments came during Tuesday’s VIP Let’s Talk radio programme after it was announced that the highly anticipated report was finally completed.
Following the disclosure that the report has in excess of 40 recommendations for the territory, concerns were raised by some residents who felt that the BVI could suffer a similar fate to Turks and Caicos, which had their constitution temporarily suspended for four years, following a Commission of Inquiry report in 2009.
However, Dr. Wheatley is of the opinion that the BVI’s Constitution and the rights of the people should not be affected by this report, stating that there are provisions within the Charter of the United Nations which protect these rights.
The minister also said he believes there is nothing from within the COI report that should justify the BVI losing the right to manage its own affairs.
He called on residents to stand up and defend the territory, stating that there exist other options that can be pursued in addition to independence.
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