FRIGATE BAY, St Kitts and Nevis; Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 – Turks and Caicos Islands Premier, the Honorable Galmo Williams, today addressed the Special Committee on Decolonization at its annual regional decolonization seminar which is the last Caribbean seminar conducted in the framework of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.
Premier Williams diplomatically presented the TCI side of the political and constitutional developments that his government and the people are currently being faced with in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Speaking on the topic “Challenges and opportunities in the process of decolonization of the Non-Self Governing Territories in the Caribbean region” Premier Williams said: “One of the obligations and responsibilities of the British Government under the United Nations Treaty is to prepare its colonies and its people to determine its own destiny.”
Premier Williams went on to add that: “the then Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook in a statement to the Dependent Territories Association in London, on Wednesday, 4 February 1998, – told us: “Your democratically-elected governments of the Dependent Territories have the right to govern, to be consulted by Britain on any constitutional changes affecting you...”
Premier Williams further stated: “that the UK Government have not consulted the People of the Turks and Caicos Islands on the proposed suspension of TCI’s Constitution, and we call on the Special Committee of 24 to urge the UK Government to cause a referendum to be held or a general poll be taken on the wishes of the people before the UK Government proceed with suspension of TCI’s Constitution at May 31st 2009.”
The three-day Seminar will examine challenges and opportunities in present-day decolonization in the Caribbean and Pacific regions and elsewhere.
Among the issues to be discussed are the decolonization process in a changing world; strengthening cooperation with the administering powers; the Special Committee’s role in facilitating enhanced outreach to and participation by the peoples of the Non-Self Governing Territories; and the way forward for the United Nations decolonization process in the remainder of the Second International Decade and beyond.
Also taking part in the seminar is representative Simon Hosking for the administering Powers of the United Kingdom.
Premier Williams’ contributions and the Seminar’s discussions will serve as a basis for conclusions and recommendations to be studied at the Special Committee’s substantive session in June. Proposals will then be submitted to the General Assembly concerning the fulfillment of the objectives of the Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.
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