The Third Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly's Fourth Committee took place on October 5, 2026. Photo: YouTube

Special Envoy E. Benito Wheatley has commended the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission for its advocacy and said the Virgin Islands (VI) was left behind during the ‘Independence Era’. Photo: YouTube

Mr Wheatley said this during the Third Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly's Fourth Committee on October 5, 2026. 

“If you believe in the principle of self-determination, you should support the BVI's aspiration for a full measure of self-government in the near future; and if you believe colonialism should be a thing of the past, you should support the full decolonisation of the BVI as required under article 73 of the UN Charter,” he told the gathering. 

VI remains under yoke of colonialism

According to Mr Wheatley, the VI was “left behind” in the independence era of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. 

“Since then, there has been no clearly defined path to full sovereignty. After 1983, the remaining British colonies in the Caribbean were no longer offered Associated Statehood status. The UK eventually declared them British Overseas Territories, but their full decolonisation was never realised.”

Mr Wheatley said undoubtedly, the VI remains “under the yoke of colonialism despite gains in self-government”.

He added it is therefore important to dispel the myth that being an Overseas Territory of the UK is a comfortable arrangement for the VI. “It is an uneasy relationship. The BVI has been financially self-sufficient since 1978 and receives no financial assistance from the UK,” he said

It is local leadership that developed and modernised the society, he continued; however, the responsibility for the public service, internal security, administration of the courts, external affairs and chairing of Cabinet falls under a British governor appointed in the UK. 

There will be friction

Mr Wheatley opined that there will be friction in the relationship as the tension between freedom and control is very real.

“The ongoing constitutional negotiations between the UK and BVI should be squarely aimed at restoring a path to full sovereignty and addressing the friction in the current governance arrangements. This is best achieved by devolving the remaining areas of responsibility and authority from the UK to the democratically elected arm of the BVI government.”

Mr Wheatley, in commending the CARICOM Reparations Commission, thanked them for their advocacy on behalf of the VI for its total decolonisation in line with the 10-point plan on reparations. 

“It is now not just a matter of self-determination. It is also a matter of reparatory justice.”