Premier Urges UN to Back Decolonisation, Says
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley told the United Nations Fourth Committee that the British Virgin Islands is prepared to move to full self-government and urged the UK and international community to support decolonisation. He welcomed a C-24 visiting mission report that found the territory ready for a change in political status and said the government will pursue constitutional negotiations with a unified negotiating team including opposition members. Updated: Dr Wheatley also insisted the BVI has remedied governance issues identified in the 2022 Commission of Inquiry, described the removal of the Order in Council as a milestone, and stressed the territory’s economic capacity to self-fund government operations.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has appealed to the United Nations to step up support for the British Virgin Islands’ decolonisation process, telling the UN Fourth Committee in New York that the territory is prepared to move to full self-government. Speaking in New York, Dr Wheatley thanked the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation (C-24) for a visiting mission to the BVI in August 2024 and said the mission’s report concluded the territory is ready for a change of political status to achieve a full measure of self-government.
The C-24 reportedly recommended an education programme on self-determination, full internal self-government and a timetable for independence; the Premier said his government welcomes the report and is working with the UN on technical assistance to implement the recommended education initiative.
Domestically, Dr Wheatley told the committee that the House of Assembly has concluded debate on the constitutional review report and that the territory is preparing for negotiations with the United Kingdom on a new constitution. He set out the core aims his administration will pursue in negotiations: obtaining full internal self-government, devolving powers now held in London to local authorities, and securing recognition of the Premier as Head of Government who chairs Cabinet.
Specific areas identified for devolution include internal security, the public service, administration of the courts and external affairs. He also said the government will seek the inclusion of a fixed future date for a referendum on change of political status. Dr Wheatley urged the UK to honour its obligations under Article 73(b) of the UN Charter to promote the political advancement of non-self-governing territories and to consider the political aspirations of their peoples.
He reported a positive step in UK-BVI relations, saying UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has accepted a recommendation to lift the UK Order in Council that allows London to suspend the BVI constitution; he cautioned the legal rescinding process will take several months but called the decision a positive development.
In expanded remarks reported by BVI News, the Premier insisted the Virgin Islands is ready to take full responsibility for its internal affairs and that the territory has made significant progress since the 2022 Commission of Inquiry (COI). He said the governance challenges that once prompted the COI have been remedied and described the removal of the Order in Council as a major milestone and a seal of approval from the UK.
Dr Wheatley also invoked UN Resolution 1514 in arguing that self-determination is a recognised human right and said “colonialism must be abolished.” Addressing capacity concerns, the Premier told the committee that the Government of the Virgin Islands fully funds its operations and that the territory has not received budgetary aid from the UK since around 1977.
He noted the 2017 hurricane recovery was sustained largely by revenues from the financial services industry rather than UK aid. Looking ahead, Dr Wheatley said the government will include both government and opposition members on the negotiating team to ensure “one unified voice” for the Virgin Islands.
Next steps for residents include the rollout of civic education on self-determination, formal constitutional negotiations with the UK and ultimately a referendum to decide the territory’s future political status. He also thanked regional and international partners — CARICOM, the OECS, the C-24, the Caribbean Overseas Territories Caucus and the government of the US Virgin Islands — for their support in recent years that helped maintain democratic governance.
Primary source: BVI News