Premier Dr. Ewart Brown today criticized the British Government for extending its suspension of elections in Turks and Caicos.
The UK announced earlier this month that it would continue direct rule of the territory, imposed in August last year after an inquiry found evidence of government corruption and incompetence.
It had been hoped that elections could take place next year. But UK Minister for Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham, said that more time was needed to put necessary reforms in place to get the territory back on a solid financial footing.
Dr. Brown responded to the decision today.
He said: “I am deeply saddened by the continuing, dreadful delay in restoring full democratic rights to the people of Turks and Caicos.
“Historically governments and government leaders throughout the world that have taken the step of suspending free, democratic elections have been roundly condemned and sanctioned.
“If this were to occur in Zimbabwe for example, the world and the UK government in particular would refer to the move as barbaric and characterize its government as a cruel dictatorship.”
The Premier continued, “Bermudians and the people of Turks and Caicos share deep historical and familial ties and it is my fervent hope that free elections and a government duly elected by the people will be quickly restored to that country.”
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