The governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is facing resistance to the creation of the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Commission (the “Status Commission”), a body that was appointed last week by Cabinet to oversee a system whereby Turks and Caicos Islander status is granted to non-native people
Former premier Michael Misick accuses Governor Nigel Dakin of attempting to “steal the territory’s democracy” by appointing the long awaited Status Commission to debate applications. Misick further suggested that the governor wanted “to grant over 160 Belonger status to mostly young British citizens that live and work in the Turks and Caicos Islands as lawyers, accountants and within other professions” in an attempt to confer voting rights on British citizens, one of the recommendations of the UK’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
In support of his allegations, Misick also released a four page list that purports to contain the names of applicants for Islander status.
In his response to Misick’s press release, the Governor sought to clarify certain misconceptions. He noted that one of the reasons for the high number of eligible applicants was due to the delay in the appointment of the Status Commission.
Seven individuals approved by the Cabinet have been appointed to serve. These are Paul Harvey as chairman of the commission, Patrease Thomas, Barbara Hamilton, Ricardo Don-Hue Gardiner, Selvyn Hawkins and Attorney General Rhondalee Brathwaite Knowles or her representative. Sakera Cook will perform the functions of secretary.
As provided for by the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance 2015, four of the members were appointed by the Governor, two were nominated for appointment by Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson and two were nominated for appointment Leader of the Opposition Washington Misick. The attorney general or her representative will serve as an ex-officio member.
The members will serve for a period of one year, commencing on September 30.
