Draft terms of constitutional review sent to HOA for debate

A draft of the terms of reference for the upcoming constitutional review has been created and sent to the House of Assembly to be debated.

This follows the 16-member Constitutional Review Commission having their first meeting last month.

“The Terms of Reference for the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) were approved on 20th July,” Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said at a press conference last week.

“These terms have now been incorporated into a resolution with the members of the CRC and are before the House of Assembly to be debated,” he added.

Under the Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and other reforms, the Government of the Virgin Islands proposed a deadline of July 31, 2022, for the Constitutional Review Commission to present draft of its terms of reference to the Premier and the Governor for joint sign-off.

Cabinet agreed on the CRC on June 29.

In the meantime, the upcoming review will consider the wishes and changes the people of the Virgin Islands wish to see in the next constitution.

The members of the review team include Lisa Penn-Lettsome, Chairman; Janice Stoutt, Deputy Chairman; Dr Charles Wheatley; Ronnie Skelton; Bernadine Louis; Reverend Dr Melvin Turnbull; Dr Benedicta Samuels; Dr Steve Lennard; Maya Barry; Sendrick Chinnery; Ms Noni Georges; Coy Levans; Rajah Smith; Sir Dennis Byron; Tanya Cassie-Parker; and Ms Susan Demers.