The United Nations has released the official report of the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation’s visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands (BVI), conducted from 26-27 August 2024. The mission assessed the Territory’s progress towards decolonisation and gathered insights from the population on the next steps towards self-governance and independence.

Premier Natalio D. Wheatley acknowledged the report’s findings in a statement on February 6, welcoming its recommendations. Key proposals include implementing a national education programme on the path to independence, establishing a timetable for self-governance, engaging in discussions with the United Kingdom (UK) as the administering power, and evaluating the need for a referendum on independence. The Premier confirmed that the report would be presented before the House of Assembly for debate within the framework of the constitutional review process and that public consultations would be held on its findings.

The mission, the first of its kind in 48 years, was met with broad engagement from government officials, residents, and representatives of the UK. It identified three central themes: the need for greater public education on decolonisation and self-determination, the preservation of cultural identity and values, and the role of human capacity in ensuring economic and social resilience.

The mission reported that while the people of the BVI remain determined about their future political status, further dialogue is necessary to build trust among the people, their leaders, and the UK government. Emphasising the fundamental principle of self-determination as outlined in the UN Charter, the report highlights the importance of inclusivity, particularly among young people and women, in shaping the Territory’s future.

The report also noted progress in the constitutional review process and the implementation of recommendations from the 2021 UK-led Commission of Inquiry. However, concerns were raised regarding the UK’s continued influence over the Territory’s governance, economy, and social policies, including regulations affecting the financial services sector and social issues such as same-sex marriage. While some viewed the Commission of Inquiry as an imposition of colonial oversight, others acknowledged improvements in public administration as a result.

The mission recognised increasing public support for independence but noted that a clear process and timeline remain undefined. Achieving independence, it stated, requires strong political institutions, economic sustainability, and infrastructure development. Key recommendations for the BVI’s transition include:

• Strengthening national institutions, particularly in security and economic management;
• Investing in infrastructure, including healthcare, education, and disaster resilience;
• Pursuing international partnerships for technical and financial support;
• Enhancing public communication to foster national unity;
• Implementing long-term development plans with periodic progress reviews;
• Establishing a transition period, with continued UN oversight to ensure preparedness.

The UN emphasised that cooperation between the BVI, the UK, and the international community will be essential in navigating this process. Lessons from other nations that have undergone decolonisation should also be considered to facilitate a smooth transition.

As the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism progresses, the report calls for concrete steps towards self-determination. These include a structured education programme on independence, a defined timeline for self-governance, continued negotiations with the UK—potentially with a UN-appointed arbitrator—and a possible referendum, should public consensus support it.

With the report set for parliamentary debate and public consultations, the coming months are expected to shape the next phase of the British Virgin Islands’ decolonisation journey. The level of engagement from the UK government and the broader international community will be pivotal in determining the Territory’s future political status.

A growing rift between the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the UK government has erupted over proposals for a new corporate ownership register, with MPs accusing the territory of attempting to shield financial criminals from scrutiny. The dispute threatens to escalate into a constitutional showdown as pressure mounts on the UK to intervene.

The controversy centres on the BVI’s proposed system for disclosing company ownership information. While overseas territories, including the BVI, have committed to introducing publicly accessible registers of beneficial ownership (PARBOs), critics argue that the new measures would render it nearly impossible to uncover the true owners of firms registered in the islands.

MPs Joe Powell and Andrew Mitchell, who co-chair the all-party parliamentary group on anti-corruption and responsible tax, have written to BVI Premier Natalio Wheatley, condemning the plan as a “shameful bid” to protect illicit financial activities. The former development minister Mitchell went further, accusing the BVI of attempting to “continue to manage stolen funds and assist in money laundering from sources close to the sex trade and the drugs trade.”

Under the BVI’s proposed system, only individuals involved in legal or regulatory proceedings related to financial crime could request ownership information. Additionally, the owners of companies would be notified of such requests and granted five days to object before any details are shared. Critics argue this provision would alert criminals to impending investigations, allowing them to move assets before authorities can act.

“This could expose journalists to legal or physical intimidation when investigating high-risk stories on drug cartels, kleptocrats, or human traffickers,” the MPs wrote in their letter. The proposals also require applicants to already know the identity of a company’s owner before requesting ownership details—an approach described as a “logical impossibility” by Mitchell and Powell.

The UK Foreign Office is reportedly dissatisfied with the BVI’s proposals and has urged the territory to revise its approach. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has prioritised efforts to combat illicit finance, with the issue of public ownership registers featuring prominently in recent talks with overseas territories. British officials made their stance clear during a summit with the territories in November.

Transparency International, a leading anti-corruption group, has echoed concerns raised by MPs, warning that the BVI’s policy could undermine global efforts to combat financial crime. Lawmakers are set to debate the progress of PARBOs in a Westminster Hall session on Wednesday, with the BVI’s approach expected to be a focal point of discussions.

There is growing speculation that the UK government could resort to an “order in council” to compel the BVI to comply. The measure, rarely used to preserve the self-governance of overseas territories, has been previously invoked to abolish the death penalty and decriminalise homosexuality in British territories.

The BVI government has declined to comment on the criticisms but has previously stated its commitment to transparency and tackling financial crime. It has argued that open registers require a “tailored approach” depending on the jurisdiction.

Source: TheGuardian.com