Premier thankful for UN resolution on decolonisation
Premier Andrew Fahie has welcomed the final adoption of the United Nations (UN) resolution on ‘the question of the British Virgin Islands’ passed by the UN General Assembly at the conclusion of its 76th session on December 11, which dealt with the issue of decolonisation.
Speaking on the adoption of the UN resolution, Premier Fahie said he was pleased that the passage of the UN resolution on the Virgin Islands has concluded the final stage with adoption by the Member States at the General Assembly in New York.
“The resolution reiterates the view of the international community that the British Virgin Islands has the inalienable right to self-determination, which should not be impeded, and that it is the people of the Virgin Islands who must determine the political future of the territory.
It also confirms the position of the international community that the constitutional position of the Virgin Islands and the role of the elected government should not be hindered, but rather self-governance and constitutional reforms should proceed in a manner that supports achieving greater self-determination,” Fahie said.
The Premier also thanked the Members and Associate Members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), as well as the Member States of the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) for their unwavering support.
“I am grateful to CARICOM and OECS Members and Associate Members for their staunch support of the Virgin Islands over the course of this year, especially regarding the Commission of Inquiry for which my Administration is seeking a just outcome. I am particularly grateful to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda that serves as Chair of CARICOM and Chair of the Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS); as well as the Government of Grenada that serves as Chair of OECS and is also Chair of the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation,’ the Premier said.
“It took great courage to stand with us internationally and we are truly grateful to our neighbours. CARICOM can be proud that as a regional body and as a grouping of individual Member States and Territories, that it has continued to stand up for democracy, human rights and due process under the law, which is very important for the continued peace and stability of the Caribbean region. The Members of the C-24 also have my unyielding gratitude for their understanding and support,” he added.
Fahie also praised his international team for their robust engagement with the UN system on behalf of the Virgin Islands. He thanked Deputy Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and his Special Envoy Benito Wheatley for ensuring strong representation of the territory at each of the international forums within the UN decolonisation framework. These forums included the UN regional seminar on decolonisation in Dominica, C-24 Substantive Session in New York and UN Fourth Committee (Special Political & Decolonization) Meeting at the 76th session of the General Assembly.”
Premier Fahie said that his government will remain engaged with the UN in terms of its international obligations as one of the 17 remaining territories maintained by the General Assembly on the UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories that the UN continues to support.
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It is like the child asking an uncle “Should I move out and get my own place” Sure the uncle will say go ahead and not worry about whether the child is mature enough to balance it’s finances. VIP pushing independence to get out from the UK keeping an eye on politicians and their reckless wasting of funds.
Time to leave the sinking ship.
Do the UN say HOW we might do it?
Like, how a small group of people related to each other, making up population numbers smaller than the smallest town in any major country, how such a political entity is expected to function as a nation just like Russia, Nigeria, China or even somewhere small like Andorra?
We will get eaten alive by both ourselves, as our leaders create laws to make themselves and their bank accounts great, and as big countries offer us sparkling solutions to our problems, and end up owning our sorry, greedy BVI selves.
Independence is about ego and xenophobia, just like Brexit. And just like Brexit, it will be a historic disaster.
The Monaco Model is ideal.
Change the demographics of what the VIP has saturated the VI and the VI will flourish
Presently, the VI is sinking at every angle. The silver lining is that much needed truth and insight has been revealed and our vision is less cloudy.
Hmm. I see Brexit as being beneficial to the UK on balance. Not perfect but better. Not so independance for the BVI.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
No sign of anything but loss for the UK after Brexit.
Those who see it as win are those who WANT to see it as a win because they need to protect their ego. They took a risk and backed the crazy idea, hoping it would turn out good.
Everyone else saw it as a crazy idea, because it was. Nothing proving otherwise.
They’ll tell you ‘the experts are wrong’, the ‘data is flawed’, the ‘principle is more important than the practicalities’, etc.
Don’t fall for the ego trap, BVI!
President Fahie welcomes you to the Republic of the Virgin Islands
If it continues on its present course it can remain the BVI so as not to confuse tourists or investors. Banana republic of the Virgin Islands.
Definition of Banana Republic may help, ” Any country (with or without bananas) that has a ruthless, corrupt, or just plain loopy leader who relies on the military and destroys state institutions in an egomaniacal quest for prolonged power.”
Welcome to Fahieland,
Talk as much as you want Sir. The vast majority of us prefer to be an overseas territory. Compare the economic, social and political climate in the overseas territories with those of the independent Caribbean countries and tell me who is doing better.
Why is that there are so many Caribbean expatriates in the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, Bermuda and even the BVI? But if we continue to mismanage our little country and bad mouth the U.K, we may soon find ourselves heading down to Guyana to look work.
To Belonger and those of similar views.
Meant to press thumbs down.
You are right. Sadly,the vast majority you speak of are of plantation stock.
Need not write more.
Andrew Fahie, It’s about time you give up this idea about Independence, even if the people of the BVI thought about it, it won’t be under your government.
It’s the people of the Virgin Islands who must determine the political future of the territory, not the Andrew Fahie government.
None of these will be of no help to the BVI (CARICOM) and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), as well as the Member States of the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) for their unwavering support. Most of us want to stay as an OT of the UK and you are far gone out of the picture. I hope that the UK is cooking up a nice New Years’ gift for you.
Interesting that he states it should be up to the people as to how the islands should be governed. So, let’s see a referendum of the people, that will put this to rest once and for all. However, in this writers opinion, the result will almost certainly be for the UK to come in and take control.
please mr.fahie stop talking nonesense.we are not yet ready for independence.
mr.fahie is planing to be a dictator.he want absolute power.no we don’t need this.
we also need to be careful,this was the reason why he gave expatriates papper.to get more support for his plan.because most locals would not support his plan.we need to get him out next election.he is planing his dictatorship.please locals,wake up.