Premier calls for end to colonial rule, urges self-determination
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has renewed his call for an end to colonial rule in the Virgin Islands, urging residents to prepare for full self-determination as the territory continues to redefine its relationship with the United Kingdom.
Speaking during the annual Emancipation March and Celebration Service, the Premier reminded the audience that the Virgin Islands remains one of 17 colonies globally.
He said, “The Virgin Islands is a colony of the United Kingdom. The word ‘territory’ seems more benign, but we are a colony. What should we say about colonialism? Firstly, let us say, without hesitation, without fear of contradiction, that colonialism is wrong.”
Dr Wheatley referenced the 1960 United Nations Resolution 1514, which declared colonialism incompatible with human rights and global peace. “All peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of the right, they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development,” he said.
He also noted the recent visit by the UN’s Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24), which resulted in a report recommending that the Virgin Islands be granted full internal self-government and that a public education campaign on self-determination be launched.
The Premier was clear that the pursuit of self-determination was not an attempt to force independence without public input.
“Some in the public have misinterpreted this as the Premier and his brother… [and] has taken the BVI to independence without a conversation or the involvement of the people. This is simply not true,” Dr Wheatley insisted.
His remarks come as the territory continues its constitutional review. The commission conducting the review has also recommended the creation of a decolonisation body to help guide national discussions.
“When the House of Assembly resumes, we’ll debate the Constitutional Review Report and then have a series of meetings in the community discussing next steps,” Dr Wheatley said.
In calling on residents to embrace change, the Premier connected the fight for political freedom to broader struggles for mental and spiritual liberation. Quoting Harriet Tubman, he said, “I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”
“There are many among us who make every excuse why we should continue to suffer under the indignity of colonialism. They do not believe that the Virgin Islands is capable of managing its own affairs,” the Premier added.
He continued: “They believe that other people in the world should manage our affairs for us, perhaps because we are not smart enough, or we lack enough moral integrity, or we’re not civilized enough to manage our own affairs? Why do we feel so inferior when everything in our story says that we have achieved so much with so little assistance from our administering power?”
In closing, the Premier urged residents not to be discouraged by doubt. “Think about what I have said. And ensure that you, as an individual, stand on the right side of history,” he said.
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The right thing is no independence if that happens the BVI will be finished.
I agree
If we did not die under the hands of the wicked slave master, do you think we will die under independence or free association? No, we must grant freedom to our ancestors who perished in route to these shores and free future generations from Colonial rule. UK rule can NEVER be good for a people once colonized. We must be masters of our own destiny. Down with neo-colonialism.
Not as long as you are in power.nope.you are pushing so hard for independence, what is your true motive? you want to continue with more corruption and enrichment.you and your selfish motive.we much learn from Haitia, Africa,and our Caribbean neighbors.right now they are selling passports to develop their inferstructers.let’s be careful what we are doing and not let out politians rush us into this.
Let’s start with an end to you being Premier and the VIP being out of government. That’s a good beginning. Anything ruse can come after.
Ask the people what they want until you do that stop talking independence I am sure you will find it is not what the majority want just your own selfish opinion.
Exactly!!! It’s his selfish opinion! Seems to be hung up on prejudices.
Can’t manage the country properly but busy talking about independence??!??!!
Sounds so ridiculous EVERY TIME!!
independence with you guys in charge will be pure chaos, only then will you all rob us dry
Sure, when Tortola looks like a clean and well functioning BERMUDA which is still a territory. You guys can’t be serious. Road Town is a jumbled mess aesthetically speaking. It’s chaotic. The town plan was not good to start with, I guess. The governance is good but independence is a bridge too far regardless of what the UN says. Having electricity go out the day after Xmas with a fridge full of food is not ok. Not having an efficient bus system is not ok. Too many cars on the road. The roads are in a terrible state. Many do not follow the traffic rules. We are now scared to death in our homes due to crime and robberies. The murders are sickening. Please, This call for self-determination is very, very, premature. Tortola has a long way to go and we all know it.
@Huh
Please don’t mention Bermuda and Tortola in the same semtence. Don’t embarras Bermuda.
British Virgin Islands is not ready for Independence because we don’t have adequate Leadership.
So proficient leadership is a prequisite before we can seek Independence and we don’t have it.
Bermuda is ran like a well oiled machine.
@huh. Bermuda enforce their environmental laws. I’ll just rest this here.
>>>>>>>>>>>@To Patriotic bvi.<<<<<<<<<<<<<
STOP IT! STOP THE LYING TO THE READING PUBLIC!
Every one who knows the true historical facts about Haiti knows that its current economic scarcity and hardship is a result of France and America.
It is due to their stealing all of its resources and then putting a 99% tax on her, still in existence today, to PUNISH HAITI FOR BECOMING THE FIRST BLACK INDEPENENT NATION IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, and not because of any bad thing Haiti has ever done.
Since then until now, Haiti has been used as the scape goat in media to project her as the cause of her own misery, and that is absolutely not true.
People keep on projecting Haiti as poor and helplesss, when in fact it is the d pernicious wicked thiefing and oppressive extractive policies of AMERICA and FRANCE that have Haiti in the poor and destitute condition it is in today.
The same fate will come to us if UK we gain fullindependence from the British and then they decide, through legislation, to to wilfully put an independence tax of 80-90$ of our GDP, to be paid to them monthly. We would be worst off than Haiti in less than a year.
Yet, this is what Haiti has been living with for centuries.
So, stop posting lies and begin speaking truths.
Haiti paid for her independence with wilful economic deprivations and sabotage for centuries now by those two nations in particular, France being the mostpernicious of the two..
We must contribute truths historical facts and correct information to the discourse instead of lies, lies, lies and more lies.
People are awake and completely read now. Most of them are no longer historically illiterate. Further,what ever one wants to learn can be found right at the finger tips on the library called the Internet.
Wish the true facts could be posted here,but it would take up to much space.
“The secret of freedom lies in educating people whereas, the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant.”
Robespierre
(1758-1794
No couch warrior of and thumbs down to facts will stop the destiny of a people and their history.
They are the kind who continue feasting on the wealth of Black people world wide, while the Black people exist on their scraps.
The latter they enjoy more than even the former.
Wiggy!!! You’re alive and well.
Tain Wiggy atall, tis long fellow, Ning and Inger.
even his brother knows the vote would be know and so does not want a referendum now , imagine all this from the brothers but they know the amswer would be no…
I rather eat my shoe that go independent with a bunch of non-skulls running the country. They can’t even fill a couple potholes. Who in their right minds would follow those jokers anywhere?
A lot of work needs to be done b4 we can go independent. And that work has not yet been done so we have to continue to kick that can down the road for now.
ALL YOU GOING TO WAIT UNTIL UK STEP IN NEVER TO GET BACK OUT, THEN YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND WHY YOU PUT THINGS IN ORDER AND JUMP FROM THAT COLONIAL MASTER.
UK, STUDY HISTORY AND YOU WILL QUICKLY RUN FROM THOSE BAS***DS. RUN, NATALIO, RUN. RUNTOFKFRMUK.
Amen
For a start look at the shirt. High fashion of a Banana Republic dictator looking to China to help kick their colonial a55’s out of we land.
Ant the people of the VI along with people of other Territories do not chose independence.
That is not Colonialism, that is choice. The choice of the people.
It is you that want to continue Colonialism by dictating the will of a few for their own corrupt gains and to hold on to power with no controls over the evil that can be done.
It is you that want to carry on the spirit of Colonialism through power for elites and holding the people in your control.
Let the people decide.
@buzzbvi: so true, it is premiere Wheatley salivating at the mouth to have colonial power devolve to him, where he can be mighty as the governor over the police and everything, victimize who ever he want, and you see this thing where zbvi radio is there to have talk shows? It will be no more, just like how the independent countries prime minister do, they don’t allow criticism of their stewardship, they use the police and guns and tear gas on the citizens for expressing themselves against injustice and corruption, you remember when John cline go Infront the Backoe that was preparing Vybz Kartel quarter million USD venture, he would have been beaten by the police if natalio had full colonial power, and Claude won’t be able to use the radio station any more under independence, they will run to tola radio for help, and even that would threatened and closed by pice instructions from the premier.
It is so funny how many lust at power which they already have, the power to fix the road and schools and sewage and senior citizens already in natalio hands, but no, he instead fix up Vybz Kartel pocket with quarter million USD and try save bank of Asia by putting $5 million USD in it, and now using colonial machinations to make it seem benign, saying he having internal audit to himself only, these are the art of colonialism, that’s how the UK control us, in the other Caribbean countries that gets independence, the UK never leaves, those countries still swear to the royal family, but the prime minister has the power to commit and crime or treason against the people, executive and judicial powers will be devolve to the premier once independent, that doesn’t mean we don’t need independence.
Do a 50 year development plan into the BVI future with assistance from the UK and others, built connecting bridge to say virgin Gorda and Peter island and say jost van dyke, do land mark development that will support tourism, lay underseas cable to power anegorda, look at a future with infrastructure, Bermuda has connecting bridges and so to is Bahamas.
Black man you just want to enjoy the colonial formalities like the governor, been chauffeur driven with police, you remembered how Andrew fahie had these private security guards as a mafia? I just can’t understand, you ask the people to vote for you, and as soon as you are elected, you become diametrically oppose to the people, police to keep the from you and all sort a thing, I could remember lavity stout brother use to catch a ride in the morning on any public safari to go work as a politician.
Focus on a fifty years future development plan and not power.
By by financial services and tourism; hello narco statelet. No thanks.
please dude
Y’all just found more guns again during festival and we aim even done yet
Y’all got no shame to be saying this after that bank of Asia scheme
Who vote this id**t
@ Idiot: Me and the boys and girls in D7. That’s who. It’s the best the district had to offer of the candidates. Ask Heriatage about the lady…
Imagine a Premier with a US passport and a brother who also has one and does not even live in the BVI (has not for decades) busy fighting for independence. While the people who live here and have no place to live but here are not consulted. Make that make sense!! We are the ones who have to live here if what you are fighting for fails while you stay in the US and Natalio jump on a plane to the US. It is wrong! Self-determination starts with your mind and can continue with your mind. We have so much autonomy from the UK right now and we keep messing it up. Being independent on paper will not make us independent in fact. I am sick and tired of you constantly spending time on this topic while the country is in a downward spiral. Allocate your time where it is needed most right now! It is not in constantly talking about this topic and flying to the UN. We need a leader here on the ground dealing with our current problems!
You yourself is colonial. Who do not agree with you are labelled
If the premier and his brother still have valid US passports, does that mean they are US citizens? If so, I hope they pay US taxes on their worldwide income. And doesnt that mean they are not eligible to serve in our government. Just asking.
If you are asking and depending or asking a man, his conscience, and your circumstance to set you free to your inalienable rights, you will never be free, no matter how good you may be eating and drinking.
I see the USA have a new visa rule requiring Caribbean countries. (Not UK citizens) To have 15k cash bonds to apply n travel to USA lmfao
Y’all still wan get rid of UK? Be my guest
Just like all the Caribbean countries running for a life we will be like they too. Human trafficking going go crazy after independence and us visa requirements
VIP proudly showed Andrew Fahie on their parade vehicle.
That’s says enough.
Yes, Andrew Fahie is one of our men, regardless of what went down. The wise knew he was set up because he opposed the British. You think you know them? Same kind of people who embraced Apartheid in South Africa. You still got the rapist, the thief and drunk Sir Francis Drake parading in our Virgin Islands waters; you still got Queen Elizabeth’s name on our bridge and parks in BVI? The heir to stolen African good, now in the hands of her children? Andrew is not worst than the ra**st white bas***ds who are here and think we cannot run our own country. Any of our heroes name written on a building in UK? Long live VIP and Andrew Fahie
So are others who were not on the flyer/truck, but you all keep it up
when the country is running smoothly, with the infrastructure fixed and in good shape. the hospitals working correctly. the education system first class. the police and judges working to get back to no crime only then can we have a bright economic future and independence.
Under the ‘be careful what you wish for’ category, the Premier ought to think about what will happen when there’s another Irma, and if the BVI is truly “independent” the likely response from Great Britain in response to requests for emergency funds, logistical support (including policing), loans for rebuilding, and help with a clean-up in the aftermath.
For a territory that can’t even get its infrastructure act together now after no significant weather events since Irma and Maria, it’s frightening to think of what would happen when the next one occurs.
what’s the actual proposal. to have constitutional equivalency to the crown dependencies or to go fully independent?
The most powerful 1% want to become independent to fill their own pockets and award Government Tenders to their friends, family and their own construction business’s with no regulation. While the 99%, the people need and heavily rely on the support and regulations provided by the UK. We receive support equivalent to that of a state in the US, there is no problem apart from the government having to implement reforms that are designed to avoid corruption and help the people.
If we do go independent the past evidence suggests the auditor general will be ignored (again) and not to mention the people already don’t trust the government to not turn the government into dictatorship.
We have just witnessed what they want to do with independence.
Lets not forget what Andrew Fahie thought he could get away with under our noses.