UK enslaved us, they shouldn’t lead our human rights
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has argued that it is “not fitting” for the Governor to be “custodian” of legislation establishing a Human Rights Commission in the BVI, since the United Kingdom historically violated the region’s human rights through slavery and should not be the arbiter of those rights today.
Like several other independent bodies established in the BVI, the proposed Human Rights Commission would fall under the Governor’s remit. And speaking last week during the debate on the Human Rights Commission Bill 2026, Premier Wheatley said the bill was brought to Cabinet by Governor Daniel Pruce, but questioned the appropriateness of that arrangement.
“As a society, we believe that anything that has to do with independence and impartiality should fall under the governor. But that is evidence of our immaturity,” Dr Wheatley said. He also pointed to the historical legacy of slavery in the Caribbean, stating that it was imposed by Britain and represents one of the most severe violations of human rights in history.
“One of the worst ways human beings have had their human rights violated was the institution of slavery,” he told lawmakers. “As we know, it is the United Kingdom that imposed slavery on the people of the Caribbean and the United States. Therefore, to make the governor the custodian of our human rights is something that I have a fundamental disagreement with,” the Premier added.
Dr Wheatley stressed that Virgin Islanders must take ownership of safeguarding their rights, even while the territory remains a British Overseas Territory. “We must take responsibility for our own human rights. We must champion it. We must ensure that our human rights are never taken away from us,” he said.
The Premier also linked the issue to the BVI’s right to self-determination under the United Nations Charter, describing it as a fundamental human right. He then pointed to BVI’s colonial arrangement with the UK, saying that colonialism itself represents a violation of human rights.
“In this world, there should be no such institutions as colonialism, where one group of people holds power over another,” the Premier said, adding that the territory must work to “eliminate any vestiges of colonialism” within its society.
Despite his concerns, Dr Wheatley ultimately commended the Human Rights Commission Bill to the House as an important step toward strengthening human rights protections in the territory.
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Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has argued that it is “not fitting” for the Governor to be “custodian” of legislation establishing a Human Rights Commission in the BVI, since the United Kingdom historically violated the region’s human rights through slavery and should not be the arbiter of those rights today.
AGREE WITH THE PREMIER ON THIS POSITION.
My dear we are not all dumbobimbo
Access to water is an undisputed Human Right which has been and continues to be blatantly disregarded
as we speak.About yesterday we had great missing amount of missing medical Staff in the one and onlycHospital,depriving patients of their human right to not be willfully murdered in a hospital or anywhere..note the amount of murderers walking out of and has walked out of the prison and comingling with all ah we and no effort for them to be “captured” .All total ongoing every single day deprivation of human rights in these VI. The enemies of the peoples of these Vl look like you.a century ago was a longtime story. Not even 1one white locked up or caught thieving oy any infractions. But you and allyo continue the weak BS about the UK century moons ago. Many were sold to the ytman by those who look like you and are even more guilty. Given the opportunity they will do it again these Bros who look like you.Go to Africa today and experience their wickedness. Thief your eye out your head in less thsn a minute.and trip you and your money in the blink of an eye.
The masters of atrocities ,physical and mentally against Black folks in today’s World are BlackFolks.
Take a look at reality Sowande!
puhleeze stop taking lessons on hot air emissions from CSK. Why not repudiate all laws while you’re at it since they are based on English Common Law? Get rid of the Old Testament too since it sanctions slavery….talk about throwing the baby with the bath water…and look at your ways of treating outsiders.
It is fortunate that in the early 1990s, Governor Peter Penfold stood firm against the violation of human rights when the BVI government of the day was intent on abusing them.
My book “For the Sake of the Children” is relevant.
https://www.studiopublications.org/product-page/for-the-sake-of-the-children
…since the yellow site wont post this. Will0ck just came out to say he wont run against Fraser in the 3rd. Tell me there was quid pro quo without telling me there was quid pro quo. Is that why he recently got the government contract? Was a condition that he would make that statement publicly? Then this one want to be talking about UK enslaved them. He wasn’t even a thought when slavery existed. Look how long that abolished. Oh and guess who was behind it being abolished? You think UK just said the word abolish one day and it was over? No. They had to use up resources to enforce that law with force Greed for money and the art of talking frought is their slave master today! Nothing to do with the UK.
The BVI is a glorified colony Wheatley- live with it – in any event if things go south you will be the first to bolt to the USA- we can read you loke a book
But you are slaving us too
Both the slaves and the people that enslaved them have been dead for almost 200 years, is it not time to move on. Additionally, the subject of human rights in today’s world concentrates on numerous other afflictions as against slavery, plus, the honorable gentleman bears little resemblance to a slave, in fact, his lifestyle and remuneration package places him somewhere near the top of social living standards.
I’m not here to defend the Premier because he is nowhere near ready to be a leader. But it’s funny when people say this and that was 200yrs ago, let’s move on. Do you tell the offspring of the enslavers to give up their properties, businesses etc. that they inherited from slavery? Why is it the only thing that needs to ‘stop’ is bringing up the atrocity, but the benefits reaped from it remain to be passed down generation to generation? You guys are self-hating crazy people.
Well then instead of blaming white man, cast your blame to your ancestors who sold your brethren into slavery and continued to do so long after the UK fought to end the Atlantic slave trade. Seeing as there is no line to draw, go and ask reparations from Mali. While oir at it, have fun educating yourself on African history.
Can you imagine what state the world would be in if it went down the road you propose. How would you respond to the sins of the Vikings, should we persecute the whole of Scandinavia. How about the Roman’s, throw Italy out of the EU and ostracize the Italians. And, what about the Germans, two world wars, the Holocaust, where do you want to draw the line. The reality is people’s crimes and sins die with them, their dependents had nothing to do with their activities and thankfully that’s the way the law sees it.
uk enslave but now our own people enslaving us lol
no breaks
UK abolished slavery through out the world but the premier still looking towards America
When are you going to fix the roads?
ITS ALWAYS THE WHITE COLONIALIST SLAVE MASTERS DID THIS AND DID THAT / DID THEY RAISE HE AND HIS PUPPETS SALARIES TOO ? / AND THROW THE CIVIL SERVANTS AND PENSIONERS INTO THE TOILET AND FLUSHED THEM ? ( AFRICA IS STILL IN THE SAME LOCATION AND WE ARE FREE, SO CONTACT CSC AND LET THE HOLY FAKE ORGANIZE THOSE SOPHISTICATED BARGES AND AS WIGGIE LOVES TO SAY – “GO BACK” FOR FREE ~ BON VOYAGE
To the non-thinkers and heartless who resort to, “both the slaves and the people that enslaved them have been dead for almost 200 years, is it not time to move on,” do note:
The transatlantic slave trade, spanning four centuries, was a significant commercial enterprise that generated substantial profits for its stakeholders. The economic impact of that wealth accumulation remains evident in certain to most European and Arabic societies today.
Nevertheless, the individuals responsible for generating that wealth have not yet received compensation for their considerable efforts. Furthermore, following the abolition of slavery, all relevant stakeholders received compensation.
However, the Black/African slave and wealth producer was not paid, is yet to be paid and must be paid for his labor, for making the white and Arab man disgustingly rich.
No amount of elapsed time can erase that human crime nor dissolve the perpetrators of that human rights crime from paying the bill owed. The passage of time does not absolve the inheritors and individuals responsible gaining that wealth from violations of human rights from accountability or diminish their obligation to face justice.
Hence, those who still think and enunciate that Black people should simply move on are of the same vile spirit, mind and heart just like those who benefitted and are benefitting today from the blood, sweat, tears, lives and death of those human beings.
Therefore, restitution must be done. Repair-ration is the human solution. Only the cruel heartless and evil mind will think opposite.
The legacy of slavery and colonial entitlement continues to impact society, with economic gains still evident in certain European and Arabic communities.
Despite the passage of time, those who produced this wealth, Black and African slaves, have yet to be compensated for their labor, even though other stakeholders received recompense after abolition.
That lingering injustice cannot be dismissed or erased by the simple argument that “it is time to move on,” as the consequences and benefits of slavery have not been fully addressed.
True progress and reconciliation demand accountability and restitution. Paying the Black man what he is owed is not only a matter of justice but also a necessary step to clear the collective conscience.
Only then can genuine healing occur, allowing for an authentic opportunity to “move on” from the past.
You appear to rank amongst the people that grab everything they can as long as it’s for nothing, thankfully you are a losing minority. In the cold light of day, you want to take money from people who never owned slaves, and, give it to people who have never been slaves, that’s the reality.
P487, It would appear you learnt all that you know from those same Colonialist, racist white folks from back then and are you now are thinking and acting like they did.
Your NEW COLONIALS Government is what we need protection from currently.
That is specifically why it is you and your buddies that should be allowed any where near decisions about Human Rights.
It us YOU our NEW COLONIAL DICTATORS that should not lead our Human Rights or as has happened in the past the people now living in the VI will have no rights.
AND YOU Elites will have everything.
You are for independents so you can enrich yourself your family and friends and let it be known you done have the last say.
Supremacy and racism is going on today and all you folk see is what is in front of you to war with your own neighbor. Theres people that only out of public persecution arent enslaving black people today. Real talk. Slavery is over but it can repeat without awareness. Same as world wars start f-around and cant pull out.
common sense says that money would come from EU governments and dont say they cant afford it because they can fund wars that are avoidable.
with all the rules you all broke you still there saying that UK had us enslaved. You all did that sh!t when is election?>
Our master, is saying)>those white boyz treated us so baddddd , it was very horrible thats why we flexing off on dem “island people ” to show we gat dah power in our hands , the only thing missing is our ( inDEPt&~C ), then is whrn ya’al gine watch “yo boi” do he ting .
Why Are you afraid to puf your real name ? We know its uou ( mr E ), the wannabe historian / go back your in the closet , looking in the mirror would only break another one .
How can anyone with historical knowledge, a clear conscience, a heart devoid of Black hatred and a mind of good put a thumbs down to “Restitution must be done” comment?
Wasn’t Willock arrested for Modern Day slavery as quoted by Top Cop Mark Collins.
“Human trafficking also known as modern day slavery is a problem all over the world. If you have any suspicion of human trafficking, I urge you to call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 800 8477,” said Police Commissioner Mark Collins while commenting on the arrest.
Meanwhile, the RVIPF said these latest arrests and charges are part of a major investigation into human trafficking in the territory. It comes weeks after former Speaker Julian Willock was arrested by the police on suspicion of the same offence.
This is who was just appointed as an advisor to the premier.
Access to drinkable water is a human right.
Parties paid for from tax peoples money is not.
The VIP
Leaders are tiur current enslavets with millions unaccounted for who are tge masters surely not the Uk
I somewhat agree but it was not just the UK. The Dutch, Spanish, and Jewish people were highly involved in the slave trade as it was a system. UK holds some of that weight but not all.
Why are you arguing about who should lead a Human Rights Commission vs just agreeing that we need one and getting on board with getting it done?! See the bigger picture…focus on the future. Stirring this pot gets you what? A headline? How does it move this country forward? C’mon – DO SOMETHING FOR YOUR COUNTRY!