Britain suspends constitution of Turks and Caicos Islands

By Peter Richards | Last updated: Sep 3, 2009 - 1:49:51 PM

'Invaded and re-colonized'

Graphic: MGN Online

‘Today our country is being invaded and re-colonized by the United Kingdom, dismantling a duly elected government and legislature and replacing it with a one man dictatorship’
—Galmo Williams

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (IPS/GIN) - The British government suspended the constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) in a move that the outgoing head of government Galmo Williams referred to as a “coup” by London.

Governor of this British Overseas Territory Gordon Wetherell—now in charge—said that he had signed the necessary proclamation and promised fresh general elections by 2011.

But Mr. Williams, who took over the government in March, said the action was tantamount to an invasion, and that London had denied earlier requests for a referendum to allow the population to decide on their future.

“Today our country is being invaded and re-colonized by the United Kingdom, dismantling a duly elected government and legislature and replacing it with a one man dictatorship, akin to that of the old Red China, all in the name of good governance,” Mr. Williams said.

The move by London followed the recommendations by a Commission of Inquiry into the government of former premier Michael Misick, who is alleged to have amassed a multi-million-dollar fortune since he was elected in 2003.

Sole commissioner, Sir Robin Auld, had recommended that the constitution be suspended for an indeterminate period, “to replace the democratic process presently provided by the Cabinet and the House of Assembly with direct rule from Westminster, acting through the Governor with, but not bound by, the advice of an Advisory Executive Council.”

On Aug. 12, a British Court of Appeal dismissed arguments by Mr. Misick that the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order—that allows for suspending the constitution—contravenes European Union laws. The three-member panel also ruled that there was little evidence to support the case going any further.

“Following the decision in the Court of Appeal in London on 12 Aug. and on the instruction of UK Ministers, I have today signed a proclamation, published in the Gazette, which brings into force the Order in Council suspending parts of the Turks and Caicos Islands constitution,” the governor said Aug. 14.

He said that with “immediate effect, Ministerial government and the House of Assembly are suspended ... and the House of Assembly is dissolved and Members' seats are vacated.”

“The constitutional right to trial by jury is also suspended with immediate effect. In accordance with the Order in Council, this will be for a period of two years, subject to extension or abbreviation as necessary,” Gov. Wetherell said.

The governor said that during the two-year period, he would be responsible for the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and that he has appointed Martin Stanley as chief executive to head the TCI public service.

In May this year, Mr. Williams addressed the United Nations Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism conference in St. Kitts and urged London to allow his people to determine their future in a referendum.

He noted also that the UN Declaration of 1960 states that all peoples have the right to self-determination and to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are also opposed to the move by London. At their July summit in Guyana they declared that they “were deeply disturbed by the adverse findings of Turks and Caicos Commission of Inquiry into possible corruption or other dishonesty in relation to past and present elected members of the Legislature.”

In a message to citizens, Mr. Williams condemned the ... coup ... by London and promised ... that my days of service to my country, will never be over.

“As the grand children of slaves, left abandoned on these barren shores centuries ago, we, together with those who came later on, have turned these Islands into something that we can all be proud of, and indeed something that our once delinquent masters, have stated that they will do anything except a return to slavery to repossess,” Mr. Williams stressed.

The British governor dismissed the talk of a “take over,” saying “we can finally move ahead together towards a fresh start for the Islands.”

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