‘We must get a copy of FATCA agreement!’ – Edmund G. Maduro
The agreement signed by Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith on July 1, 2014 allows for exchange of tax information and its signing has raised the ire of Maduro who is concerned that the agreement breaches the Constitution of the Territory.
“We must understand that Government must be of laws. The Constitution protects certain rights that no law can be made to overrule. No international arrangement can be made to overrule [the Constitution]. I am saying when it comes to international agreements it is not the Premier who is primarily responsible. The person responsible for international arrangements and agreements is Her Majesty’s Government,” said Maduro on his EGM Radio Show aired on Thursday night July 3, 2014 on ZROD 103.7FM.
“All laws must fall in line with the Constitution. This is true about the United States, about the United Kingdom, Europe…,” he admonished.
“We are seeing a lot of things going on here. Right now we are seeing some fairly unreasonable behaviour,” he said.
“The Constitiution clearly states that the executive authority of the British Virgin Islands rests within Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and his Excellency the Governor,” he said.
Maduro pointed out that one of the rights enshrined in the Constitution is secrecy to one’s personal affairs. “I have been hearing about this international arrangement that was supposed to be signed. I have been asking for a copy and I cannot get a copy. The people of the British Virgin Islands should have had a copy of that drafted agreement in their hands and studied it and made their contribution to the Premier, to the Governor and to Queen Elizabeth II,” said Maduro.
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18 Responses to “‘We must get a copy of FATCA agreement!’ – Edmund G. Maduro”
Mr. Edmund Gregory Maduro thanks for bringing a lot of things to light but if you noticed these men and women who are supposed to be honorable do not care about the people if this territory even if they has bring this to the public it would have already be a done deal. For example, look at the extra high school year the people kicked up against it, wasn't it still implemented. Look at what they say the minister of w & c say, don't mind the noise from the people the project will go on. Look at B..a insurance every year the government renew their contract with Bupa, B..a make changes that are negatively affecting people but yet all we are hearing is that the contract have been renewed we have no say in it. Look at NHI people voiced their concerns about it, isn't it still implemented. Just food for thought
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/tax-policy/treaties/Documents/FATCA-Agreement-BVI-6-30-2014.pdf
The second paragraph indicates this action was sanctioned by the UK government.
I'm really not sure, do people read or just talk.
It is asender to yet? And the signatures on the dotted line, is missing.
It was outside the scope of the Premier's authority. Also it has not defined how dual citizen BVIslanders will be taxed, as dual taxation may be unconstitutional. There was to be more explained or explored before rushing headfast into this