Submission from Chedmond Browne, Former
Member of Parliament and Spokesperson, Free Montserrat United
Movement
BRIEF INTRODUCTION
An organisation dedicated to seeing the Colony
of Montserrat eventually attain its fundamental Right to Govern
Itself.
Representative to the United Nations Decolonisation
Committee.
(a) Representing the government of Montserrat.
(b) Representing civil society.
Member of the Drafting Committee on Montserrat
Constitutional Review. (did not sign the draft).
Chairman of the Select Committee of the House
on recommendations to the Legislative Council.
Representative of the House sitting in negotiations
with the FCO team during my time as an MP.
To the Committee I give my thoughts as briefly
as I can, with the hope that you the Members will incorporate
them into your eventual conclusions.
1. From the outset, it would appear to me,
that the Committee is seeking to justify the process, that has
concluded in some colonies, and still taking place in other colonies.
2. I note with interest, that the Committee
held oral evidence sessions. however, I don't recall any such
session being held in Montserrat.
3. It would seem to me that the people of
the colonies involved would have been one of the target groups
for oral sessions.
4. I would draw attention to the Committee
to the United Nations Special Committees Resolution of 2007.
In these recommendations to the General Assembly,
they stated.
1. There is a direct linkage between Self
Determination and Human Rights.
2. Clarification on the fact that internal
constitutional reviews taking place were not designed to upgrade
the present political status of those territories.
5. Overseas Territories Report Vol VI, 3
July 2007.
Headlines: UK TO EXTEND CONTROL OVER COLONIES
In a major shift with its relations with its
overseas territories the United Kingdom has announced its intention
of seeking to extend its control over the 14 colonies under its
administration. This new position is contained in a document recently
sent to the Governors of the territories ...
Overseas Territories Report & Overseas Territories
Review are publications of Caribbean Information Services ltd.
Box 75853, Washington, DC, 20013.
Reprinted from the Bermudanet Workers news.
6. In the colony of Anguilla the response
from Civil Society basically follows the same thought process.
As did their reports from experts and Civil Society to the UN
Decolonisation Committee.
7. The numerous papers and reports given
to the UN Decolonisation Committee in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 by
the UK' remaining colonies all state clearly that the Constitutional
Review process does not reflect those clauses in the 1999 White
Paper, that speak to Partnership and the Hopes Visions and Aspirations
of the People of the remaining colonies.
8. The UK Government has chosen to ignore
the voice of the People in pursuit of its own policies.
The people of the remaining Colonies basic Human
Rights are being trampled upon, initially very quietly, but now
extremely openly.
Where in the Committees inquiries? Is there
a query as to the position of the FCO in its approach and policy?
9. Will the Committee justify what has taken
place, and what is still taking place in colonies like Montserrat
and Anguilla who are still holding out despite the pressures being
applied. The hopes visions and aspirations of the people of the
remaining colonies were the operative words in the UK's 1999 White
Paper.
If the Committee can look into whether the Hopes
Visions and Aspirations of the People of Montserrat have been
addressed, if the Committee can look into the abandonment of one
of the basic tenets of the Human Rights charter.
"The right of a People to be governed by
the representatives they elect".
10. If the Committee can look into the approach
and position taken by the FCO negotiating team that they "
will not" I reiterate, will not discuss, consider or debate
in any fashion certain basic and fundamental rights of a People
to move in a direction that eventually brings them to a Self governing
state.
If the Committee can look into and justify the
UK's government open position, that it no longer has to pay any
attention the UN Committee on Decolonisation, that it has the
right to dictate to its remaining colonies its position despite
their protestations.
The UK is after all an Administering Power.
The UK does not own Montserrat. It has been given a responsibility
to bring Montserrat to a Self Governing state.
However, it would appear, that the UK has now
taken the position that it not only owns Montserrat, but it also
has the Right to dictate to Montserrat the direction it should
take.
Is this a position that the Foreign Affairs
agrees with or wants to justify?
11. If the Committee can look into the fact
that the Government and People of Montserrat have not had any
outside advice from any credible International Body on Constitutional
review and reform.
If the Committee can look into and justify the
in house methodology of the FCO negotiating team and their single
minded approach to accomplishing their agenda at the expense of
their "Partnership's" Rights, Hopes, Visions and Aspirations.
Where is the transparency? A key operative word
in UK policy. Is it not applicable to this process also?
12. If the Committee can accept without
question or query the UN Decolonisation's Committee Report that
states clearly the UK constitutional exercise was not designed
to upgrade the colonies.
That statement I might add directly contradicts
the UK 1999 White Paper position which also says it would negotiate
with its remaining colonies in an atmosphere of Partnership to
attain the Hopes, Visions and Aspirations of the People.
13. Here is hoping that the Foreign Affairs
Committee, pays some attention to my response, but not only mine.
Not all of the remaining colonies want to be
tied to the UK forever.
Montserrat in particular is tied because of
an ongoing challenge from the forces of Nature.
In many instances because of UK policy mostly
controlled through DFID economic pressures that challenge has
turned into not only a natural one but a man made one that allows,
once again UK policy of a vision for itself to be imposed upon
the People of Montserrat. Well, I think you get my point.
So, I will end my brief. I am open and ready
to interact and communicate with the Foreign Affairs Committee
on this issue and any other issues that relate to Montserrat.
31 January 2008
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