The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has joined in the call of urging the United Kingdom Government to withdraw the Order in Council in the British Virgin Islands which has the authority to suspend the territory’s Constitution.
The call was made at the 72nd Meeting of the OECS Authority where Heads of Government and Political Representatives discussed the progress of reform in the British Virgin Islands.
“[The Authority] calls for the United Kingdom (UK) Order in Council being held in reserve to suspend the British Virgin Islands constitution to be withdrawn without delay,” the statement said.
The OECS Authority also objected to the possibility of direct rule being imposed over the territory, calling it a violation of the rights of the BVI people.
They agreed to a common position at the relevant UN fora to support the self-governance and right to self-determination of the people of the British Virgin Islands.
“[The Authority] Objects to the imposition of direct colonial rule over the people of the British Virgin Islands whose human rights and inalienable right to self-determination set out in the United Nations (UN) Charter and relevant UN resolutions should not be violated by any party,” the statement added.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley and his government were also commended by the OECS Authority for their “firm commitment to good governance and the ongoing successful implementation of the Framework for the Implementation of the Commission of Inquiry and other reforms.”
In addition, the Authority also pledged technical assistance to support the Government of National Unity in its implementation of the Commission of Inquiry Recommendation reform framework.