In the British Virgin Islands (BVI) there were protests against the plans of the United Kingdom to take direct control of the territory after the arrest of its elected leader.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the government building in Tortola, the residence of Governor-General John Rankin, on Monday, following an investigation by British Judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom into corruption, recommending that the islands be ruled by London for two years.
It is proposed that Mr Rankin, who represents the Queen, take over as Prime Minister instead of an elected government official.
However, many BVI residents oppose this proposal, which has been described as “colonial”, especially in the context of the region’s history as a former British slave colony, and undemocratic, as there are no plans to bring the issue to the public.
Protesters blocked traffic in front of the governor’s house and chanted slogans such as “no to British rule” and “no going back to the chains”.
One speaker told the crowd, “How can you speak for us if you haven’t talked to us people? It is possible to condemn the actions of corrupt leaders and also to believe that we can be authorities in good governance, “he said.
Bishop John Ivan Klein of the New Life Baptist Church, who is organizing the demonstration, told local media: “This is a very important historical moment in the life of the Virgin Islands. The United Kingdom has decided, after 70 years of self-government, that they want to take away our rights and deny us the opportunity to have a democratically elected government.
(channel JTV 55)
“They want to tell us that one person must be able to make decisions for 30,000 people, they want to tell us that we do not have the necessary competence to run our country and we say that we will not give up our rights,” the clergyman continued.
“We welcome the help of the United Kingdom, but democracy and dictatorship are two different things. We want the opportunity to go back to the polls and elect a democratic government to rule over us. But this colonialist way of thinking that you are going to tell us what to do is wrong, unjust, and we will not tolerate it. “
The protests come after the arrest of British Virginia Prime Minister Andrew Fahi in Miami on Thursday on charges of drug conspiracy and money laundering in an operation led by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Oleanwein Maynard, the port’s director, was also arrested.
The report is not related to the incidents in the United States last week, although its publication was delayed after events in the United States last week.
The Minister for Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom Amanda Milling arrived at BVI on Sunday for a three-day trip to discuss future leadership in the region.
However, the content of these discussions is obscured, protesters said as they called on Milling to include British Virginia residents in talks on the country’s future.
The BVI has a population of 35,000 and is currently governed by a 2007 constitution, which gives it limited self-government under a governor who is the supreme executive body as the Queen’s representative.
“Don’t we think there are good people in this country who we can choose as worthy leaders of BVI?” This is our future and it must be in our hands, “said another speaker.
“This is our country! It is our responsibility to take responsibility. ”
“I want to say to Her Majesty, the Queen: tell your people to be fair to us. This is not justice, “said another speaker.
In a statement earlier this week, acting Prime Minister Natalio Whitley said he was “very concerned” about the recommendation.
Andrew Fahi, elected prime minister of BVI, was arrested in the United States last week
(AP)
Mr Whitley said: “What it would mean in reality is that there will be no more elected representatives to represent the people of the counties and territories in the House of Assembly where laws are passed for our society.
“There will also be no government ministers to raise public priorities or a cabinet to approve the policy. All this power will be given to the governor.
“The benefit of representative democracy for society is the understanding and responsiveness of their elected representatives to their challenges, which also serve as guides to their views, especially on reforms.
BVI Governor General John Rankin
(Delivered)
This is after widespread protests against royal visits to Caribbean countries and calls for reparations for British slavery over the past two months.
When he turned to The Independent for comment on the protests. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not comment.
However, a spokesman cited a statement on BVI governance issued by Foreign Minister Liz Truss on Friday.
It reads: “In January 2021, we expressed significant concerns about the deteriorating governance of the British Virgin Islands, as well as the potential vulnerability of the islands to serious organized crime.
“The UK government has backed the then governor’s decision to launch an independent investigation into territorial governance.
“The poll report released today by the governor makes it clear that significant legislative and constitutional changes are needed to restore the standards of governance to which the people of the British Virgin Islands are entitled.
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