OT 418: Written evidence from Mr Shaun Malcolm, Former Chairman, People's Democratic Movement, Turks and Caicos Islands

 

Two years and two months ago in November 2007, I and associates of mine travelled here to meet with the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee to describe the rampant corruption and intimidation and the destruction of civil society occurring then in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

 

The members of the Committee then asked the FCO to comment, the FCO said there was nothing out of the ordinary happening in the Turks and Caicos lslands.

 

Five months later, in March of 2008, Sir John Stanley, Paul Keetch and Greg Pope travelled to the TCI and discovered a situation they could only liken to the Peoples Republic of China.

 

A grateful Territory watched as the Committee then directed the FCO to initiate a Commission of Inquiry. The highly respected jurist, Sir Robin Auld, was appointed Commissioner. The volume and seriousness of what he found caused him to produce an interim report so that immediate action could be taken. He was stunned by the breadth and depth of the corruption and malfeasance that he found.

 

An order in Council caused the suspension of the TCI Constitution, and the British instituted direct rule in the TCI on August 14, 2009. Almost two years after I and others pleaded in these very Halls for support from the Committee.

 

Gentlemen, we are here to alert you that we are at a moment in history that will determine if your good efforts to effect change and return the TCI to a civil society will work or will have gone for naught.

 

So far, no arrests, no prosecutions, and no liens on ill-gotten gains have occurred two years and two months after our pleadings to you. We feel unless you, the members of the Committee, are alert to the forces working towards your failure in the TCI, we will have no chance to succeed in this long and painful journey.

 

The Attorney General that turned a blind eye for 5 years to all that occurred is still in his position, the Police Chief who is the brother of one of the Ministers singled out by Sir Robin, still continues in his position as the top Law Officer in the Country.

 

Credible death threats still continue against Journalists.

 

At this point let me turn to Mr. Singh to provide further details of where we are:

 

In Conclusion, gentlemen, we believe we have proven our credibility. Two years ago what we said contradicted the FCO, tragically we were proven correct.

 

Please hear us now.

 

There are those that wish to work hand in hand with the British in order to fulfil the potential of the Overseas Territories as valuable partners in the world unfolding in this new century.

 

What happens in the TCI has relevance throughout the territories. Please give us the time and attention we need to effect the necessary changes. Thank-You.

 

12 January 2010