TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands – Premier Natalio Wheatley has defended the decision by elected leaders to exclude same-sex marriage from the territory’s next constitution, which is expected to be finalised following negotiations with the United Kingdom.
Dr Natalio WheatleyElected leaders recently accepted a recommendation from the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) to amend Section 20 of the Constitution to explicitly state that marriage is between a man and a woman of the opposite sex.
Lawmakers later expanded the wording, agreeing that marriage should specifically be defined as a union between a man and woman “of the opposite sex at birth.”
According to legislators, the wording is intended to provide greater constitutional certainty and maintain consistency with the proposed definition of marriage.
During a public engagement session on constitutional negotiations earlier this week, a resident questioned Premier Wheatley about why the government was choosing to deny same-sex marriage and what role it should play in protecting minority rights, particularly while a court challenge involving same-sex marriage remains active.
In response, Wheatley said he did not want to comment extensively because the matter is currently before the courts.
“I don’t want any of my comments to impact the court proceedings,” the Premier said.
However, Wheatley stressed that the negotiating team remains mindful of internationally recognised human rights standards, especially those linked to the European Convention on Human Rights, which the United Kingdom has extended to the territory.
“What I can assure you [is] the concept of adhering to principles, particularly the European Convention on Human Rights, is really foremost in our minds,” he said.
The Premier also suggested that while marriage may continue to be traditionally defined, there could still be accommodation for “other forms of partnerships” without discrimination.
Wheatley argued that BVI society is capable of maintaining its traditional definition of marriage while still respecting the rights of others.
“At the very same time, ensuring that we defend and represent our culture, our heritage and our way of life,” he said. “I believe that in a tolerant society that we have here today, that it’s possible for those two things to coexist.”
Although elected leaders have adopted the recommendations on marriage, the proposals are still subject to formal constitutional negotiations between the BVI and the United Kingdom before any final decision is made.
