| Synopsis: |
In this report, "Overseas Territories (HC 147-I)", the Foreign Affairs Committee sets out 45 conclusions and recommendations under the headings: constitutional relationships; governance; rule of law; human rights; environmental governance; contingent liabilities; and, sovereignty disputes.Conclusions and recommendations include: The Government's encouragement of Overseas Territories in reviewing their constitutions and setting out proposals for reform is commended; Gibraltar's presence on the UN list of non-self-governing territories is an anachronism; Territory governments should be given the opportunity to pass on their opinions of the candidates for Governor before appointments are made; The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) should ensure it takes Overseas Territories' interests into account in its relations with the European Union (EU); The FCO should strongly encourage all Overseas Territories to introduce freedom of information legislation; and, The FCO must ensure that judicial decisions in Overseas Territories should not have any interference either from the Governor or the local government.It also includes: Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender status should be made illegal in all Overseas Territories; The Government has been highly negligent in not carrying out a strategic assessment of Overseas Territories' funding requirements for conservation and ecosystem management;and, Governors within Overseas Territories should use reserve powers to deal with irregularities, such as money laundering, in offshore financial services.The Committee states that the Government has acted decisively in some Overseas Territories but in some other cases has been too hands-off - for example, the corruption allegations on the Turks & Caicos Islands. It also states that the choice of Governor for a Territory is crucial. Finally, the Committee deplores any retaliatory measures taken against individuals who have assisted the Committee.The accompanying "Overseas Territories - Volume II: Oral and Written Evidence (HC 147-II)" (ISBN 9780215521507) is available to buy separately, please see below. |