The Overseas Territories
Turks and Caicos Islands
Appendix One
Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) General The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) form the south-eastern extremity of the Bahamas chain and lie north of Haiti and south-east of Miami. The Territory comprises some 40 islands and cays. Six islands are permanently inhabited: Grand Turk – the capital; Salt Cay; South Caicos; Middle Caicos; North Caicos; and Providenciales. TCI Islanders account for about one third of the total population: there are many immigrants from other Caribbean Islands and North America as well as significant numbers of illegal migrants. English is the main language. The main religion is Christianity. Juan Ponce De Leon discovered the islands in 1512. Locals claim that the islands were the first landfall of Christopher Columbus in 1492. For several centuries the islands changed hands between the French, Spanish and British. They remained virtually uninhabited until 1678 when they were settled by a group of Bermudians who started to extract salt and timber. The islands became part of the Bahamas in 1799. In 1848 the islanders were granted separate colonial status with an elected Legislative Board and an administrative President. From 1872 until 1962 the islands were part of Jamaica. In 1959 an Administrator for TCI was appointed. From 1965 until 1973 the Governor of the Bahamas was also the Governor of TCI. Since 1973 the islands have had a Governor in their own right Government In 2009 a Commission of Inquiry concluded that there was a high probability of systemic corruption among Ministers, members of the legislature and public officials in the former TCI Government. As a result of these findings, parts of the Constitution providing for Ministerial Government and the House of Assembly as well as the automatic right to trial by jury were suspended. Powers and functions previously exercised by Ministers are – at the time of
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
Cuba
Haiti
Cayman Islands
Dominican Republic
Jamaica
Puerto Rico
North Atlantic Ocean Anguilla
Virgin Islands Montserrat
Antigua & Barbuda Guadeloupe
Caribbean Sea
St Lucia Grenada
Colombia
Barbados
Trinidad & Tobago Venezuela
publication General
– exercised by the Governor acting status in Constitutional TCI is an internal self-governing Overseas Terr his discretion. A Special Investigation The and the Bahamas chain and lie 145 km north of Haiti and the Dominican ministerial system of government. The 1988 Const Prosecution Team (SIPT) consisting offorformer Republic and 925 km south-east of Miami. The territory comprises a Governor appointed by HM the Queen, an E police officers, senior counsel from some 40 islands and cays split lawyers into two groupsand by a deep water and an elected Legislative Council. The Governor i channel, with a total land area of 500 sq km. Of these islands only external affairs, defence, internal security, offshore f the UK was appointed to investigate matters six are permanently inhabited: Grand Turk – the capital; Salt Cay; certain other matters, but is otherwise normally re identified in the 2009 Commission oftheInquiry South Caicos; Middle Caicos; North Caicos; and Providenciales. advice of Executive Council. There are two ma In addition there a number of hotel developments and holiday lawthefirm People’swas Democratic Movement (PDM) and th report. Aareprominent international homes on smaller cays. Limited rainfall, coupled with poor soils National Party (PNP). Parliamentary elections are h appointed to carry out civil recovery work. The Turks and Caicos Islands form the south-eastern extremity of
and a limestone base, restrict the possibilities for agricultural
of not more than four years. The last elections we
development. The Islands have important wetland and reef habitats
1995. The PDM overturned the PNP’s 8–5 majori
the 13 elected seats on the Legislative Counc An FCO/DFID joint Written Ministerial8 ofStatement is in opposition. The next election is expected in M in population December out 20,000. eight The is currently2010 estimated set to be around This milestones that includes about 10,000 foreigners, especially from Haiti and the would have to be met before elections Lawcould and order Dominican Republic. Most of the people are of African descent, The legal system, based on English common law, in take place: the rest being of mixed or European origin. English is the main and provide a home for 14 endemic plants and reptiles.
language with some Creole spoken by Haitian immigrants.
Court and a Court of Appeal, and has provision fo
Privy Council in London. The Attorney General an
> implementation of a new Turks andareCaicos currently British technical cooperation officers, Education is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 14, and Crownof Counsel, the Legal Draftsman, the Deputy Islands Constitution Order, in support is provided free in 10 primary schools and 4 secondary schools of Police and the Head of the CID. The Police De run by the Government. recommendations of the Commission of will support the provision of a further two technica Inquiry, which underpins good governance and officers; an Assistant Commissioner of Police and a Investigation Officer. Royal Navy and Royal Air For sound public financial management; to the Police Force have enhanced the TCI’s ability > introduction of a number of new Ordinances, trafficking. The Islands enjoy close cooperation with including those making provision for: (i) narcotics the agencies under an agreement e Bahamian TCI in 1990, thus allowing for combined US/TC electoral process and regulation of the political interdiction operations. In one operation in Februa parties; (ii) integrity and accountability in public TCI authorities seized over two tonnes of cocaine. life; (iii) public financial management; > establishment of robust and transparent 70 Partnership for Progress and Prosperity public financial management processes to provide a stable economic environment and a strengthening of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s capacity to manage its public finances; > implementation of budget measures to put the Turks and Caicos Islands Government on track to achieve a fiscal surplus in the financial year ending March 2013; > implementation of a transparent and fair process for acquisition of Belongership; The religion is Christianity; the Anglican Communion predominates.
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