THE UNIVERSITY of the West Indies (UWI) has called on the UK government to “retreat” from stated political calls to “subvert and subordinate the sovereignty” of people living in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) following its attempt to impose direct rule over the territory.

The arrest of BVI’s premier, Andrew Fahie, on suspicion of drug-smuggling charges in Miami prompted the controversial proposals to be put forward following a Commission of Inquiry (COI) report.

However, the report’s recommendations have been blasted by leading organisations in the Caribbean at a time when demands for reparatory justice over the British Monarch’s part in the slave trade rage on.

Large protests across the BVI have already taken place in opposition to the British’s involvement on their homeland.  

UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, said in a statement that the people of the Virgin Islands should be given “full opportunity and autonomy” to resolve its own domestic issues.

“This is the second occasion in recent weeks in which we have called for respect of the national rights of a community; having done so following the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” the statement read.

“We are committed to the decolonization of the Caribbean and deplore the persistence of colonial rule of the people in the region

“The regional UWI insists, therefore, that its member community, the Virgin Islands, be given the full opportunity and autonomy to resolve its immediate domestic challenges. We are confident that it will do so within an enabling Caribbean framework without injurious imperial aggression emanating from London.”

Sir Hilary’s statement backs the calls made by CARICOM leaders, who have labelled the report as “far-reaching” and “deeply concerning” after the recommendations were made by a one-man Commission of Inquiry.

In a statement, the 15-member CARICOM grouping said: “CARICOM supports the decision of the duly elected Government of the BVI to welcome the recommendations for improving governance and their commitment to work with the United Kingdom to address the weaknesses identified in the COI report.

“CARICOM agrees that the people of BVI and their duly elected representatives have the responsibility to ensure good governance with full transparency and accountability and should work together to achieve mutually acceptable solutions to address the concerns highlighted in the COI report.”

The BVI Governor, John Rankin,  said  earlier this month that the  Commissioner, Sir Gary Hickinbottom, had recommended “a return to Ministerial Government and an elected House of Assembly as soon as practicable, with the Governor taking regular advice from the Advisory Council and others on the earliest practicable date on which such government can resume.”

The Governor added that the COI made 45 specific recommendations on how best to address the concerns laid out in the report. 

However, Sir Hilary continued to push back against the proposals and said it was prepared to “assist Britain in curing itself from the persistent impulse and cultural addiction to dominate the people of this region by imperial edict.”

The statement continues: “All the people of the region have fought with all means available to craft a democratic culture in the face of fierce opposition from Britain. 

“They have been murdered, imprisoned, and racially denigrated in the quest for freedom, justice and democracy. 

“Britain has no authority, moral or otherwise, to teach democracy lessons in the Caribbean, insisting as it does on dominating the people who are seeking Reparatory Justice for centuries of colonial brutality and continuing imperial rule.

“The region is proud of the initiative by the Ruling Party and Opposition to come together to form a national consensus government. 

“This is the spirit that forms the core of the independence sensibility now rooted in the region. It is precisely this consciousness that will enable the community to resolve whatever governance challenges are arising from the tragic, debilitating, recent events. 

“It is also true that it is persistent British colonial rule of the community that distorts quality indigenous development and constitutes the framework in which international financial malfeasance seeks haven in these islands. Britain has created this wicket on which the game being played is not West Indian cricket.”