• 

  by pltm
• May 26, 2017
• 0

(PLTM) - Some ten years after establishing the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, the Virgin Islands has moved closer to the formation of the Human Rights Commission, a critical body that seeks to safeguard the rights of residents. Attorney General, Mr. Baba Aziz tabled the Virgin Islands Human Rights Commission Bill during the last sitting of the House of Assembly. The bill, when passed, will bring the Territory in line with section 34 of the Constitution. The proposed bill, which is now available for public perusal, states that human rights is broadly defined to include both the rights and freedoms referred to in chapter 2 of the Constitution, and any right and freedom protected under any international human rights instrument, whether or not the instrument has been extended to the Virgin Islands. By definition, the bill adopts the Commonwealth’s best practice guidelines and would enable the Commission to make use of the latest international developments in human rights in carrying out its functions. Accordingly, the bill seeks the establishment and constitution of the Human Rights Commission, which has a common seal which would be judicially noticed. The Commission is expected to consist of not more than five Human Rights Commissioners, who should be the Commissioners would be fit and proper persons with relevant knowledge, experience and expertise, they would collectively reflect gender equality and at least one Commissioner would be a person who is ordinarily a resident. Among other things, the Commission will be empowered to inspect custodial facilities and places of detention with a view to strengthening the protection of detainees against torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. The bill also provides for the investigation and settlement of complaints by the Commission and the appointment of a special investigator.

The proposed bill is expected to be debated in the House of Assembly. However, when the bill was tabled, several members of the House of Assembly agreed that public meetings should be held before it is debated. So far, there has not been any plans revealed by Government to have public discussions on the bill.