The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) – the organization encompassing Antigua and Barbuda,
the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat,
St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad
and Tobago – has released a statement noting its "great concern" that the British government has decided to postpone general elections in the Turks
and Caicos Islands indefinitely.
CARICOM stated:
“This decision will result in the continuation of the imposition of direct
rule from London for an undetermined period and, consequently, in a delay in
the return to constitutional government.”
“This recent disquieting development reinforces the view of the Caribbean
Community that the imposition of direct rule is totally at odds with the development
of good governance, including improved fiscal and administrative management,
in the Turks and Caicos Islands – the professed aim of the policy of the
British government.”
“That objective cannot be met by the continued disenfranchisement of
the Turks and Caicos Islanders, by the denial of their inalienable right to
shape their own future nor by the artificial widening of the voter base. Good
political and fiscal governance cannot be handed down. Its nature and contours
have to be moulded by the people of the territory.”
“The Caribbean Community therefore once again calls for direct rule to
be replaced by self rule and for a return to democracy for the people of the
Turks and Caicos Islands, an Associate Member of the Caribbean Community.”
The United Kingdom, in August 2009, decided to intervene on the back of reports
warning of systemic corruption in the islands, a decision that was also denounced
by CARICOM at the time as an attempt to 'recolonize' the islands.
The British government’s intervention on the matter followed the commissioned
report of Robin Auld, who, after an inquiry, reported that there was a ‘high
probability of systemic corruption’, underscoring in particular that its
Premier, Michael Misick’s spending habits far exceeded his means. He resigned
in March, acknowledging no wrongdoings. It is alleged that Misick facilitated
the sale of crown land to private developers at preferential rates.
At the time, the UK government said its imposed rule could last up to two
years. Prior to the UK government's latest announcement,
elections were scheduled for July 2011.
LAWANDTAX-NEWS.COM
