Concerns raised over funding for proposed human rights commission
Lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential cost and funding structure of a proposed Human Rights Commission during debate on the Human Rights Commission Bill 2026 in the House of Assembly.
The legislation establishes an independent Human Rights Commission tasked with promoting, protecting, and monitoring fundamental rights and freedoms in the Virgin Islands. Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said the measure represents a key step in strengthening governance and ensuring that constitutional rights are upheld in the territory.
He noted that the commission’s creation aligns with provisions in the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, which anticipates the establishment of a body to safeguard individual rights and ensure adherence to internationally recognised human rights standards.
However, during the debate, some lawmakers questioned how the commission would be funded and whether it would have adequate resources to operate effectively.
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn raised concerns about how financial arrangements outlined in the bill might affect the commission’s independence. Referring to provisions that address remuneration and funding, Walwyn said, “So salaries, the governor is dealing with salaries for the commission? So where is the independence that the commission should have? He who pays the piper calls the tune.”
Walwyn argued that funding should instead be clearly provided through the territory’s budget process. “What should happen is that there should be monies allocated in the budget for the Human Rights Commission, like it’s allocated for every single statutory corporation that the government assists,” he said.
Other lawmakers also highlighted the potential financial implications of establishing and running the body. Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith noted that investigators and staff would need to be appointed and paid, and that the new entity would require significant resources.
“We are talking about a significant cost that we are adding,” Smith said during the debate.
Another legislator, Works Minister Kye Rymer, acknowledged that funding concerns were valid but argued that protecting rights should remain a priority. “How can we afford this? But when you look at the need for this commission, you see it not as a cost, but as an investment,” Rymer said.
Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn also expressed support for establishing the commission, describing it as a mechanism to operationalise the rights contained in the constitution.
According to the bill, the commission’s funds would include money appropriated by the House of Assembly, as well as donations or grants approved through the government.
The establishment of a Human Rights Commission has been discussed for years, following provisions in the 2007 Constitution that allow for such a body to be created to oversee the protection of fundamental rights in the territory.
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so more cronies and family members employed in an over burdened civil service, they employ about 50% of the working population its beyond a joke for a territory this size
the rights for the bvislanders
It would appear that nothing has changed.
When my case was languishing in the courts in the 1990s, I was informed by the Law Commission that although The Children Act 1989 did not as yet apply to the British Virgin Islands, it nevertheless was a valuable guide to the current trends of thought. It states:
‘’In any proceedings in which any question with respect to the up bringing of a child arises, the court shall have regard to the general principle that any delay in determining the question is likely to prejudice the welfare of the child because of the uncertainty which it created in their lives and because of the prejudice which it would cause to the party who was not with the child. A lengthy delay would make it that much more difficult to convince the court that the status quo should be disturbed.’’
In seeking clarification as to what would be considered “lengthy delay” I was told that a period in excess of twelve weeks would be considered unreasonable. In my case, the court took had taken no less than SIX YEARS to attend to outstanding matters. This is twenty-six times over the recommended limit and must surely represent a record in the delay of matters concerning the welfare of a child.
There is concern over funding for many things in the Virgin Islands and the Human Rights Commission can just fall in line. Why? When our young, bright, highly educated Government ignore the words “Priority” and “Value For Money” these things will always be a problem.
Our yearly budget is enough to properly run this little country if properly managed. So as voters, it is our responsibility to vote for persons who are financially savvy and focused. And persons who can look around and see where their priorities should be and what they can leave for next year. You see, after one 4-year stint, it is obvious whether our leaders have those qualities, but we continue to re-elect persons who has shown us that focus and financial ingenuity is not their forte. And, find excuses why those that do should not be elected in those positions. So what can I say other than voting matters. “Consequences” is another word I can use, but unfortunately the populous and not the politicians are the beneficiaries of that. Their consequence is despite their poor management of our country and our tax dollars, they are returned pretty much for greedy supporters’ gain but alas they all suffer along with us re poor medical services, high prices, water and road infrastructure to name a few. So their gain is minute, small, dimunitive, tiny, insignificant. They don’t get enough to buy a helicopter, for example, to boycott the speed bumps and their own water source. Yes, some are able to fly out when they have an emergency episode, but have to return home and use our medical facilities long term. So, yes, Voting sensibly matters too.
ITS NESSESARY, BUT IF THE INFRASTRUCTURES CANNOT GET TAKEN CARE OF- GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS THAT CANNOT TAKEN CARE OF FOR YEARS , *BUT* THE RENTAL PROPERTIES RODEO GAMES IS WORKING LIKE A CHARM , MAYBE OUR MASTER GOR SOME HIDDEN SKILLS ( LOOK AT THE WAY HE raiSED THEIR SALARIES ) IT WAS WELL EXECUTED “like” A PIECE AH CAKE ÷ SADLD THE CIVIL SERVANTS & YHE PENSIONERS WERE FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET LIKE SH*T , ( LAVITY WOULD OF NEVER DONE SOMETHING SO DIRTY AS THAT TO HIS PEOPLE ) HE HAD – INTEGRITY – BUT AS THE SAYING GOES “BOYS WILL BE BOYS (●¿●)
Election is coming up so VIP pulled out their 8 year old manifesto and is busy checking off boxes to say they started, whether or not it makes sense. The Premier runs to the UN telling them about independence and rights but he does not tell them that he used our money to pay for parties and not to fix our water woes. According to the UN: “Access to water and sanitation are recognized by the United Nations as human rights – fundamental to everyone’s health, dignity and prosperity.” The focus has been in the wrong place and now we are all suffering. VIP must go!
Can we please fix the potholes before we worry about this kind of stuff. Thank you
Yes. We are all suffering with these terrible roads, rims, shocks, control arms to name a few are needed, while the Government, every single one of them have a ride compliment of the Government, some have two. Maintenance and service? Not to worry. Government pays that bill and fills them with gas. Poor we. Hopefully it will get better. It can’t get worse, can it?