CoI moves to remote only witnesses as VI COVID-19 cases surge
Caricom in a regional statement had urged the CoI to make every effort to ensure that the constitutional functions to be carried out by the Government can be undertaken without hindrance.
However, despite these calls, CoI Secretary Steven Chandler told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) on July 7, 2021, that the inquiry will be moving full speed ahead and unhindered due to a time limit.
This position came following more community calls for the Fahie administration to voluntarily suspend its participation in the CoI and focus on the pandemic and the people of the Virgin Islands.
CoI makes adjustments to COVID-19 policies
In response to the outbreak, CoI Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom in a July 7, 2021, press notice announced strengthened COVID-19 measures for COI hearings including limiting access to the Arbitration Centre via keycard, the ability for witnesses to appear virtually, and the removal of witnesses’ lawyers from appearing in person at hearings.
“They [Witness Lawyers] will not be able to attend in person even if a witness (whom they represent) decides to give evidence in person,” Mr Chandler said in the notice.
However, a new July 9, 2021, press update, indicated that witnesses will now be mandated to appear only virtually before the commission, which could mean challenges for witnesses without access to a stable internet connection.
According to the notice, “In line with the current health advice, further to the measures then announced, with immediate effect, witnesses will now not be able to attend hearings in person. They will instead attend remotely via video link. Relevant documents will be sent to them and any legal representatives electronically,” Chandler said.
Boris Johnson rejected CoI into UK Gov't
It should be noted, that the VI CoI continues to be executed even as UK Prime Minister Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson has rejected demands for an immediate inquiry into his government’s handling of the pandemic, so that his government can focus on the pandemic.
Johnson in his reasoning said, 'we will learn lessons in due course’, but now is not the right time to divert government resources.
Despite local calls, the VI CoI has not paused even as the territory in the past week alone has seen an over 600% surge in COVID-19 cases with the pandemic claiming two lives on July 8th and 9th respectively.
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25 Responses to “CoI moves to remote only witnesses as VI COVID-19 cases surge ”
https://www.worldatlarge.news/world-conflict/leaked-documents-show-uk-propaganda-in-syria
We have solid evidence of propaganda arms in the VI after the UK media posted leaked pictures of the drug busts.
Logically a number of them that claim to love the VI are actively hired to plot and scheming against it including popular personalities, media and content producers.
The UK has a history of playing dirty while preaching about democracy. It’s an evolution of their past practices of enslavement while preaching of Christ.
When will you come to grips with the facts of life: all your flapping gumbs does is get things of your chest however when the sun rises for the new day all the talking and talking and talking did not make any difference….
Actions certainly speak louder than words and it matters not was position you hold in this territory you do not any authority to overrule Great Britain
as citizens of this territory we enjoy some serious benefits due to being a british overseas territory
i submit to anyone even if we go independent we will still encounter the British because the British is a world power(go to the world map and look at the size of united kingdom….small in size but full of power)
if you live in glass house dont throw stones
you catch more flies with honey so try change the conversation
look pun talk ✔️
The spike in covid-19 is another issue that is unsimilar to your investigation work.
Delta variant can take down mules in a finger snap
It’s easy to pay for a team of commentators and buy computers/bots to like while putting out incendiary articles “tracking govt transparency”
Fact we get soft an ignorant while they continue to plot. Those who were writing manuals on keeping blacks in slavery for centuries and to this day do not apologize nor make any consideration for icons as Martin Luther King Jr while fully recognizing & preserving the legacy of slave masters.
The intent is clear. They’re moving against us at a critical moment for health and safety and some persons cheer them on.
If the conclusion has already been written atleast open your eyes to the injustice of the process starting with its announcement on MLK day by a ticked off governor.
In addition the UK put off a COI of their government due to Covid-19 while our newly elected VI government has been subject to one boldly by the UK who put off their own, while our representatives should be focused on our safety borders and “new regular” tourism research markets and initiatives and diversification of the economy through facilitating new industries.
Medical tourism via new medical schools, and cannabis tourism were on the table but now it’s as if progress has ground to a halt between the COI and C-19.
When financial services revenue reduces again at the hands of the UK we will need new industries.
Don’t believe it’s all immediately fair because slavery is over especially when the they’re taking advantage in a myriad of ways.
Next our government will be paralyzed to move in any meaningful or courageous direction for fear of making mistakes.
As a voter to a newly elected government I say do, slip up, learn and improve. You all did an excellent job of handling COVID in the early days before any global standard was achieved.
We benefited from those actions for a year until there was no Covid cases as if this was paradise. credits where it’s due.
The other day the word I am the Master was used during the questioning of Mrs, Smith Penn. I will appreciate if that word be not used again because it reminded me of slavery days. Masa days done.
Residents of this territory cannot rest on their laurels and expect the government to fight this battle alone. This is a war for our freedom and dignity. Whatever the outcome, it will affect all of us. Do anyone of you wants to wake in the morning and see a slave master's son telling us what we can do and what we cannot do. Certainly I will not be pleased . As one writer wrote "I rather die and go to hell rather than going back to slavery