UN Debates Independence Resolution
The United Nations General Assembly in New York will today [Dec.9] discuss a draft resolution reaffirming the incompatibility of any form and manifestation of colonialism, including economic exploitation, with the international organisation’s charter.
Bermuda is on the official list of territories being discussed as well as Anguilla, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Turks and Caicos, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, St. Helena, Gibraltar and Pitcairn, all under British Overseas
Territories. The US Virgin Islands also appears along with Guam and American Samoa [US administered], New Caledonia [French], Tokelau [New Zealand] and Western Sahara [former Spanish colony occupied by Morocco].
The initiative was proposed last month by the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee of the UN with the title “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.”
At that time the document received 149 votes in favor, three against — United States, Israel and the United Kingdom — and two abstentions — Belgium and France — and must now be sanctioned by the General Assembly.
The text recognises that the elimination of colonialism has been one of the priorities of the UN and regrets the lack of results of measures seeking that goal by 2010.
And it ratifies the decision that declared the decade of 2011-2020 as the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism.
The initiativet urges the administering powers of colonial territories “to take necessary measures so that the peoples of these entities to exercise fully and without further delay their right to self-determination, including Independence.”
The resolution also reiterates the determination of the UN to “achieve complete and rapid elimination of colonialism” and calls upon all states to the observance of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
“The administering powers should ensure that economic activities and other measures in the territories under their administration will not jeopardise the interests of the peoples of those places, but instead promote development and help to exercise their right to self-determination,” said a UN spokesman.
“Along the same lines they demand to safeguard and guarantee the inalienable right of the peoples of those Territories to their natural resources to establish and maintain control over future development of those resources.”
Bermudians resoundingly rejected Independence at a 1995 referendum. With just over 58 percent of the electorate voting in the plebiscite, 73 percent voted against Independence and only 25 percent in favour.
In 2004 then Premier Alex Scott convened the non-partisan Bermuda Independence Commission to educate, inform and encouraging discussion on the subject of cutting the island’s remaining constitutional ties with the UK. Its final report was submitted to Government in 2005
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- UN debates independence resolution | The tcipost | December 11, 2011
So the UN is against Colonialism and wants to force Independence on people. This is very dictatorial and undemocratic unless the majority of the people vote for Independence. Clearly the worse of the two choices. Much better to have a UN Resolution to resolve to stop interfering with peoples’ rights.
The UN has wanted an independent Bermuda for years. The world is being carved up into regions. I believe Bermuda is part of the North American region. Independence isn’t just a local political objective – it’s very much a global agenda.
It would be nice if the UN delegates voting on the future of places they have never visited would actually take into account the wishes of the people living in those places.
UN delegates, please note that we do have our own opinions, and we are not idiots.
Why is this PLP government pushing so hard for something that will further ruin Bermuda and it’s economic position?! Oh, that’s right, that’s what they do. Pushing to go independent is the stupid thing to date the PLP has done.
If you all complain about your rights being violated, and the government spending or taking money from you now, just wait and see what happens if they get what they want.
Don’t let it happen people.
just imagine life without the Privy Council……..the judges have double standards now! just imagine that! l dont know what the U.N. is trying to prove? What will they become the new Colonial owners?
Oh please, Bermuda does not fit into that typical controled colony from afar at all. Never has been.
Actually read your history for a change instead of listening to folklore.
The fact is we have been more or less self governing from day one, 1609. Bermuda has never had any sort of exportable resources for Britain so the Mother Country, for the most part, has taken little interest in us besides the importance as a military base.
For the most part, through the years Bermuda has treated Britain with distain, unless it suited us to do otherwise.
Right now, as always, we enjoy the best of self governance coupled with the British alliance.
The UN will be better served dealing with world problems far larger than anything the few British colonies might have. Most seem to be quite happy the way we are.
@TD, you are absolutely correct. Do you get the feeling that pro-colonial commenters have an agenda? I wonder who these people are, so computer savvy, bestowing the virtues of UK rule when we all know from history that the UK is the most corrupt country in the world. I will take my chances with the “thugs” these morons are referring to over the UK oppressors forcing their colonial agenda with their new laws and white paper to separate islanders from their democracy and natural resources.
You’re dumb.
And most likely illiterate too.
Dumb enough to not know that common sense are two words Lol
The 3 stooge’s are encouraging more people to join there Tea bagging party tonight..Freaky Friday at Franks !! All OBA fans are welcomed !!
“UK oppressors forcing their colonial agenda”….uh this is not an episode of television…lol.
It’s not a television show …lol No, this is real life and a page right of the history books, not fiction or a figment of anyone’s imagination. Open a book and turn off your television set.
Brilliant,
Our people have spoken on the Independence issue resoundingly…. We have numerous more important issues to deal with locally. While I do agree that in some jurisdictions, these new measures can assist countries in pushing on their request by the people, but this is NOT the case in Bermuda.
Do note that these measures are being put in place as a means of assisting countries requiring the protection to move in the direction for Independence, but remember “the grass in not always greener on the other side of the fence”. Be careful how you cut your ties as these may be the ties you depend on in the future.
U.N. thanks, but no thanks; we are doing quite well in our current setup.
We should go independent sooner or later. What exactly does the U.K do for us now? We pay for the Governor and everyone around him for what? What decisions does he make that have an effect for the Island?
We pay millions to the Britain because we are a mere piece of property to them. Colonialism was basically strong arming Nations, its people and resources to make Britain more powerful geographically.
You are talking absolute rubbish. Complete nonsense. You just sit at the computer and write crap.
For example: how many ‘millions’ do we pay to Britain? Do we actually pay anything at all? Get a freakin clue.
We pay millions to Britain. Really? Any proof of that… oh no..thought not.
You also suck at history.
What money do we pay to Britain? Do you know the role of the governor?
There you go, historic folklore. Repeat enough times & magically it somehow becomes fact.
Well… fact in the minds of those who don’t/can’t read.
This guy Ganja Mon is an ignorant fool…i seen other posts of his, the barrel is definitely making the most noise…
When you point fingers, 3 are pointing “Back” at you..
Bud, is that you?
Fabulous, its time that the United State, United Kingdom and the rest stop making colonialism around the world, let them be free
This made me laugh: “reaffirming the incompatibility of any form and manifestation of colonialism, including economic exploitation, with the international organisation’s charter.”
The only economic exploitation happening here is caused by thieving Bermudians. It’s a mirror of what happened in the Turks & Caicos.
In fact, ties to Britain helped in the T&C case.
I bet that there are a lot of people who are terrified of the prospect of “independence” – in many cases it’s the only thing keeping the thugs with power at bay from running roughshod over their people. Sometimes having a “big brother” around helps keep the schoolyard bullies in line.
“The initiativet urges the administering powers of colonial territories “to take necessary measures so that the peoples of these entities to exercise fully and without further delay their right to self-determination, including Independence.”
As I said before, that one day we will not be able to continue to hold onto our “mother’s (UK) coat strings”, regardless if we “like it or not”. Our mother may say, what’s the purpose of this?? After all they have been self-rule for well over 80 years or more.
Now is the time that we do begin to examine what Independence will look like for Bermuda, before it is thrown upon us or mother kicks us out of the house from living under her roof. At least this will put us in a better position when that day does come. We may have to grow up and go thur all the pain of independence sooner rather than later, even if we keep saying no…no…..
Betty, why do independance supporters always use the lame and irrelevant comparison to a teenager being kicked out by his parents? Or a teenager leaving his parent’s home?
It is childish and simplistic, and it does not fit the complexities of a serious discussion about the merits (or otherwise) of independance.
Eradicating colonialism should not take decades. The territories the UN is referring to are self governing, self sufficient countries that do not need the interference of the UK and its greedy designs under the guise of good governance.
The UN is absolutely right in supporting the territories’ rights to independence. However the UN cannot be naive that the process to count the islanders’ voices on the subject will not be undermined by the UK propaganda. It must be fairly presented to the territories while being upheld and managed by the UN.
The UK cannot balance its own finances and following the MP expense scandal and other corruption, has no moral high ground to instill good governance anywhere not even at home.
The UN must intervene immediately to preserve the territories’ peoples’ rights.
What rights have you lost?
What “greedy designs” does the UK have for Bermuda?
You won’t get any definitive response to those questions. A personal attack most likely, but no answer to your question.
In TCI, the right to vote, the right to trial by jury, the right to vote in a referendum on the new constitution, the right to participate in local government, the right to free & fair elections, the right to homestead on my land, the right to democracy ….
They do not have that anymore, Because Mike and the PNP Riped off the Country just like whats happen in Bermuda Greed kills Turks Islander’s and Bermudian’s have lost there Country’s
to the Greedy
So everyone should lose their rights because of someone allegedly committed a crime. What about the expense scandal with the MPs in UK? Why didn’t all UK citizens lose their right to vote, democracy and freehold title to their lands? Commonsense.
@Comm,
Hey read what I am saying to fix our problem here 1st and most Important is to put BERMUDIAN’S back to work in the Jobs we
use to hold, It is a joke to have all these ex-pats here!
and finally sad bye to the U.K and Canada they are both blood sucker!!
but it is time for BERMUDIAN’S TO GROW SOME BALL’S!!
The Question of Independents for Bermuda, who will it impact the most not the Avg Bermudian because they are worse off now then they were years ago they did all the work back then and had a good life and to day the only one’s working are ex-pats that is the problem, so when those out of work Bermudian’s are ask to VOTE ON THIS what do you think they will vote
INDEPENDENTS Oh its coming soon any change will be good to them and the PLP will sale it that way Ask your self can you blame Bermudian’s they can’t even work in there Own Country!
@Back and other Tea Party activist who seem to know everything about nothing. He is basically our Head of state representing for the Queen.
All the usual Tea Party UBP/OBA non-Bermudians are out in full force today. Must be a slow day in your warped tunnel vision lives.
http://www.bermuda-online.org/colonial.htm
“What Bermuda has with the UK is a colonial relationship which costs the Bermuda taxpayers $2 million a year. It is for the upkeep of the palatial Government House and its 30-plus pristine acres – at a time when land is at a premium in Bermuda – and for the Governor and Deputy Governor’s salary and their cars, their security, their travel, their housekeepers and their domestic staff.”
Britain are supposed to provide us with Army/security but dont help foot the bill at all. We pay millions to keep that operation running and are the only overseas territory that enslaves/conscripts our young Bermudians to learn how to kill.
The only benefit we have with the UK is the fact we can go there and live. Other then that our relationship with them is useless.
Sure we pay $2 Million for the governor. The Army/Security that the UK provides is their own military in a time of crisis (which of course they pay for). And after that if a Bermudian is in another country and get into political trouble they go to a UK embassy. Bermudian students get subsidised for British education. So basically the UK spends way more on us then we do to them…and Independence will cost the average Bermudian more tax money (Military, embassies, etc) than the measly $2 Mil spend on the governor…
Side Note: Tea Party activists????? I noticed you like catch phrases and cliché quotes…more evidence of your non existent education….
You state no facts and your opinion means nothing. You’ve been dismissed, goodbye!
You are hilarious…I bet you think that Jay-Z and Rihanna run the Illuminati too!!
what a tool !! How would they run the Illuminati ??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXc0-x05Vwo
lol, nah I dont believe tho
Bermudians have the ability to end conscription. Bermudians choose not to. Don’t lay that one at Britain’s door please.
So, you admit it. We do not pay anything to Britain. Your link juts talks about Bermuda paying the Governor and Depty Governor (who are here and work here). Nothing about a penny sent to the UK.
By the way, if you’re upset about Bermuda ‘enslaving’ its young men to join the regiment, you need to complain to the PLP government. They have had the power to change it for the past 13 years.
When the going gets TUFF, the TUFF get going!!! And the Bermuda ppl are TUFF as they show through out this RESESSION!!! So-called “STATUS” Bermudains easily abandon us with their FORIEGN passprts and FOREIGN spouses and their MONEY earned in MY country now to be put in FOREIGN banks. But REAL Bermudains stick by their country and show PATRIOTISM during rough times. I salute OUR youths who during this time of poverty and joblessness can now understand where their parnets came from and are more appreciateing their parents past STRUGGLES for the FREEDOM!!! Now they understand is the TIME to REKNEW bda’s struggle against the evil wicked Britsh colonialsm. now they know is the TIME to make life more ENDURABEL for black men on this island. Young pple are now learning the REAL history of their country becuase in that history — and ptclrly in the BLACK POWER REVOLT of the 1970s — they find there parents took the first steps to self-respect. The final STREP to full self-respect isd INDEPENDNECE. Now as bda is abandoned by so-celled STATUS Bermudians and IGNORED in its hours of need by so-called benevalant Britain, young BERMUDIANS finally relaise they can only depend on THEMSELVES!!! You have LEARNED those who pretended to love you don’t,.. that their TEACHINGS about about forgetting our PAST and giving up your BLACKNESS is their MOST wickedest scheme of all. I am a firm believer that whatever we plant that we go reap. So, history NOW repeats itself as the hard ships facing our youths MAKE them understand it is now time to REKNEW the struggle and to finally take our own destiny into our OWN hands!!! Now, my fellow Bermudians, is the time to LEAVE that empire which did ENSLAVE you. Let us have our FREEDOM, self respect, ect. Independence is MORE than just the flag and national anthem — it is the fulfilment of our legitimate national asparations and the ablty to CHART OUR OWN course in a world that does not care about bda and bermudians except for our tax benefits for FOREIGNERS!!! Thank you united nations for remembering we, the wrteched of the earth, when so many so-called bermudians forget about REAL bermudians in their rush to leave with the moneys they have earned HERE to go back to their REAL home lands.
I guess you have no answer about what you said about ‘miliions going to Britain’?
And you’ve now given up blaming Britain for conscription, now that you know the PLP could have stopped conscription any time in the past 13 years?
Dont guess…
How do you know the PLP have the power to stop conscription? Where is your evidence?
Secondly, I still support that millions go to the UK. You cant use the article I posted as your reference.
Where is your ‘evidence’ that millions goes to the UK? You don’t have any, because it doesn’t happen. Things aren’t true just because you make them up in your head, you know.
The PLP is the government. They have the power to stop conscription. They could just pass a law. Are you really that clueless?
So like Mad Dowg says, if you don’t like conscription, complain to your PLP government. It’s nothing to do with independence.
Does this mean that whether or not we want independence, it will be thrust upon us?!? God forbid!! What can we do?
I wouldn’t get too exercised about SPECPOL’s pronouncements on independence. They are attempting to safeguard ‘our’ right to self-determination. Bermuda has already determined for itself that independence is not the way to go.
Many opinions expressed here either over amplify Bermuda’s desire to succumb to British colonial ties or over simply the relationship between Bermuda and the UK. There is a trend of those pressuring the conversation towards giving up rights to freedoms. The mental condition of colonialism is a nagging need of a people to be helpless without the very architects of the avoidable dependent connection. There is an artificial perception of the need of dependency set out by design by an absent & non-contributing ruler. Indeed, the UK has cleverly arranged this attitude of defeatism in the minds and hearts of the people of the colonies, but moreover has exploited the media and social media to drive this influence into the souls of the people for whom they seek to dominate. So long as there are those who advocate to relinquish a right or those who seek to dominate the directive of the idea, there is much work to be done to educate the people of the territories. One can tell from the predictable disrespectful and mocking replies that the directive of this conversation has been unfortunately misappropriated. This has necessitated the need even further for the intervention of the United Nations.