A statement by premier Natalio D. Wheatley on February 6, 2025, noted that the government welcomes the report and its recommendations, including:
- a) Education programme. Implement a national education programme on the quest for independence, supported by the Administering Power and facilitated by the United Nations;
- b) Independence timetable. Establish a timetable for independence. Midway through this period, the Territory should be granted some form of self-governance, decided by the Administering Power and the people of the Territory;
- c) Discussions with the Administering Power. Engage in talks with the Government of the United Kingdom, potentially involving a United Nations-appointed arbitrator if needed and agreed upon, to continue steps towards self-governance and independence;
- d) Consideration of a referendum. Assess the need for a referendum on independence. If a referendum is called for, ensure that a robust education programme is implemented by the United Nations as an independent agent in the process.
“In the coming weeks, the report will be laid before the House of Assembly and debated in the context of our constitutional review process,” the premier advised. “The government will also provide an official forum for members of the public to express their views on the findings of the report and its recommendations.”
Conclusions and recommendations – Report of the visiting mission to the BVI
- After a 48-year hiatus, the second visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands was warmly received, fostering exceptional dialogue among the mission, the territorial Government, the people and the administering Power. The Territory remains peaceful and stable owing to its resilient people. Continued efforts by the administering Power, the territorial Government and the Special Committee are vital for maintaining that stability.
- The mission identified three common and recurring themes: the need to improve education on decolonization and self-determination so that the population can make informed decisions about the future of the Territory; the need to preserve its identity and cultural richness and values; and the existing human capacity and resilience that have enabled the Territory to overcome difficulties, ending reliance on grant aid, and to build a vibrant society and ensure continued progress in all aspects.
- The strong and vibrant determination of the people of the Territory in respect of their future political status remains unquestionable and undiminished. However, more work is needed within communities and among the people, their political leaders and the administering Power to build mutual trust and confidence. The principle of self – determination, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and relevant resolutions, is fundamental in enabling the Territory to choose its path and governance .
- The important role of all stakeholders, in particular young people and women, and also in the context of the intergenerational gap, in the development of a road map for self-determination for the Territory must be better accounted for in an inclusive, broad-based, transparent and accountable process. The administering Power and the territorial Government are encouraged to ensure that the voices of young people and women, as well as other stakeholders, are better represented in the decision –making process on the future political status of the Territory.
- The mission takes note of the strong progress made on the constitutional review process, including the implementation of the recommendation made by the Commission of Inquiry, and further notes the importance of effective mutual dialogue between the administering Power and the territorial Government to ensure that the outcomes benefit all the people of the Territory and do not sow discord between and among them.
- The mission recognizes the calls made by the people of the Territory for enhanced education on the options available to them regarding the future political status of the Territory. The administering Power should actively support the Territory in its journey towards self-determination, with particular emphasis on the political education programmes, capacity-building and institutional strengthening. The decolonization process in the Territory would benefit from clarity from the administering Power regarding its position on the options available to the British Virgin Islands and other Territories in relation to self-determination.
- Given the importance of the decolonization agenda in the Special Committee and the General Assembly, the importance of ensuring that a visiting mission has sufficient time to interact with the people and authorities, as well as other relevant stakeholders, to determine the real situation in the Territory, supported by an appropriate level of resources from the Assembly, cannot be overemphasized. The visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands is a case in point on that seminal issue.
- Interlocutors noted that the Territory had been self-financing since 1978, positioning it more strongly than many OECS territories that had gained independence earlier and indicating a clear path towards independence. However, concerns were expressed about the pressure of the Government of the United Kingdom on the financial offshoring industry, a key part of the economy, in particular regarding accountability.
- The visiting mission, which took place while the Territory was awaiting the actions by the United Kingdom following the implementation deadline for the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, noted negative views on the Commission, which was seen as a colonial burden, especially with the Governor chairing local Cabinet meetings. However, some interlocutors acknowledged that the Commission had propelled some improvements in public administration. Concerns were raised about the influence of the United Kingdom over the Territory’s economy, governance and social issues, including the imposition of standards regarding same – sex marriage and the threat of direct rule, which had caused friction.
- The visiting mission noted a growing consensus among British Virgin Islands citizens on independence, although the process and timetable remain unclear. That aspiration is challenging and requires high political awareness, cultural understanding and collective responsibility. The achievement of independence involves many actors, including the people, local government, the United Kingdom and the United Nations, and demands strong political and economic capacities, resource sustainability, infrastructure and internal consensus. Cooperation with the United Kingdom and the United Nations is essential. The mission also recommends learning from the experiences and best practices of other countries and Territories that have undergone similar processes.
- The British Virgin Islands needs to take the following steps to achieve independence: (a) build national institutions, including security and economic management systems; (b) develop infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals and basic services; (c) promote sustainability through sustainable energy and disaster preparedness; (d) engage in international cooperation for technical assistance and best practices; (e) enhance communication to strengthen social ties and unity, and improve government cooperation; (f) implement long-term plans for infrastructure, security and economic development, with regular progress assessments; and (g) allow a transition period, with a Special Committee visiting mission being conducted before the end of the period to ensure that requirements are met and assess areas for improvement .
- Within the framework of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, key steps need to be defined for the British Virgin Islands to advance in its path to self-determination. The recommended path to independence includes the following:
(a) Education programme. Implement a national education programme on the quest for independence, supported by the administering Power and facilitated by the United Nations;
(b) Independence timetable. Establish a timetable for independence. Midway through this period, the Territory should be granted some form of self-governance, decided by the administering Power and the people of the Territory;
(c) Discussions with the administering Power. Engage in talks with the Government of the United Kingdom, potentially involving a United Nations – appointed arbitrator if needed and agreed upon, to outline steps towards self – governance and independence;
(d) Consideration of a referendum. Assess the need for a referendum on independence. If a referendum is called for, ensure that a robust education programme is implemented by the United Nations as an independent agent in the process.
– Report of the visiting mission to the BVI
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