Staff Writer  

#TurksandCaicos, August 11, 2023 – DNA testing will now be a requirement for certain residents applying for status via family members.  The provision was signed into law on July 19^th and government leader of business in the House of Assembly, Washington Misick, TCI Premier, explained the rationale for this now approved pathway to Turks and Caicos citizenship.

“This provision will allow for DNA testing to establish parental relationships in the Turks and Caicos Islands for the purpose of TC Islander status.  By incorporating these criteria we ensure a robust and reliable method of determining familial connections if and when necessary,” he said.

During initial debates, Members of the House of Assembly had raised instances where parents could not provide the proper documents for their children to prove parental rights, for whatever reason.  DNA testing was introduced as a swift and reliable solution in these cases.

“This is very important, I think we all know that claims have been made both by Turks and Caicos Islanders and by others claiming to have kids that are not theirs but also making sure that children who have a right to status are not denied by parents who may want to abandon them,” Misick insisted.

The measure was wholeheartedly supported by Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader.

Also accepted, that Great-grandchildren of TC Islanders will now be able to claim status following the passage of the anticipated Turks and Caicos Islanders Status Amendment Bill.  It was one of many changes, altering how residents can get status and rights to long-term stay in the country.

Tabled by Washington Misick, TCI Premier, it:

• Extends acquisition of status to persons born outside the islands with family links through a great-grandparent – Misick said this recognized the importance of family ties. “It may seem distant, but here in this House, we have examples that could mean our offspring could find themselves disenfranchised. Just about every family has a similar situation,” he continued, “if we are truly interested in growing the franchise and maintaining control of it, then we have to ensure we put provisions in place for [it] to be extended through our own bloodline.”
• Extends automatic status to the dependent children of residents who are awarded status by grant, ONLY if they are living in the country at the time of application. The Premier indicated this was to remove the undue burden from families with qualifying dependents;
• Creates separate forms for residents applying for status through marriage and grants and legalizes electronic applications. Misick said this clause focused on making sure that families who legitimately have a right to be in the islands are not discriminated against;
• Removes the Attorney General from the Status Commission and appoints an external attorney. This attorney must have 15 years of experience and a background in public law, thus ensuring that the commission benefits from legal expertise. Misick said that the removal of the Attorney General was to reduce the opportunity for legal challenge and to ensure that there is no claim of the Governor or AG having their ‘finger on the scales,’ bringing more integrity and transparency to the process.
• Sets out parameters for qualification and disqualification of Status Commission Members. “The grant of status is an extremely important offer, and it is important that people have the skills, the background, and qualifications to understand the implications of their decision,” the Premier explained;
• Authorizes DNA testing. To establish parental relationships for status/make sure that children with the right to status are not abandoned by parents and;
• Extends the year’s application period to December 2023. This is to residents the opportunity to fully understand the changes prior to applying.

The amendments were debated by residents, with a survey on the bill opening in June and closing later that month. The proposed changes by the Government all made it into the finished legislation with the addition of the clause granting status to great-grandchildren.

The bill passed with general support from both sides of the House of Assembly with the Opposition and Government acknowledging the gravity of the changes, without which Turks and Caicos Islanders would become outnumbered four-to-one in a few decades.

The premier maintained that they would continue to carry out public education seminars and give residents time to settle into the new changes fully.

Those meetings commenced with the business community last week.

The introduction of mandatory DNA results follows as a way to end forgery and conniving by applicants.

“It’s no secret that people get paid to say children are theirs in the Turks and Caicos— so I am very happy to see this here concerning DNA testing. It cannot only be used to disqualify, but as the Premier so rightly said to qualify.”

Residents had been asked to vote and give their opinions on the proposed change to Section 23 of the Islander Status Amendment Bill in June. With the new provision the Turks and Caicos joins a myriad of other countries including the United States who employ DNA testing to establish paternity before status can be granted to applicants.

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, August 4, 2023 – A towering hotel, a cheerful golf cart, and next to them, a young man sprawled in his own blood; that was the scene in Grace Bay Providenciales on Wednesday afternoon, when gunmen in the Turks and Caicos Islands once again, carried out an execution in broad daylight, feet from innocent residents and visitors.

Magnetic Media began to receive frantic calls just before 3 p.m. on August 2, reporting a caravan of police heading quickly toward the tourist centre.  Minutes later, residents confirmed that once again, a young man’s life had been taken in a brutal shower of bullets, and this time the murder took place just outside the entrance to a few resort.

Photos of the scene show residents peeking over perfectly trimmed hedges at the body as blood seeps onto the street. Police swarmed the scene soon after, cordoning off the area and conducting investigations.

The killing also impacted traffic as motorists were rerouted away from the grisly scene.  The shooting terrified those in the vicinity because of the sheer amount of shots, we are told by one resident.

“OMG!!!! IT WAS LIKE A MOVIE, AT LEAST 50 SHOTS.”

Police have not confirmed who the dead man is, the nature of the killing, how many spent shells were recovered or the possible motives behind the murder, which marks the 12th for 2023.

Our efforts have determined though he is Guilene ‘GB’ Baptiste, 26 years old and recently relieved of a battery of illicit drug charges at the Magistrate’s Court this past June.  Baptiste was most known as the man arrested when alleged infamous gangster and wanted murderer, Brandon Rahming was killed in a Police take-down last November. Now, ‘GB’ is gone.

What is concerning is that ‘rare’ can no longer be used to describe the nature of these daylight killings that put innocents at risk, as they are escalating in frequency and reckless in nature.

In the past three months alone, men have been gunned down near schools, businesses and a nightclub.  It is a situation that residents say is making them increasingly heartsick.  A letter to the Government; last month said: “We desire a better Turks and Caicos culture and reject the path of violence and diminished quality of life.”

The incident once again elicited a statement from the Governor; Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and Washington Misick, TCI Premier jointly released the plan of the National Security Council hours after the reckless shooting.

A day later, the Commissioner of Police offered his comments on the Grace Bay shooting and another, involving Police in the community of Kew Town.

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, August 4, 2023 – The Turks and Caicos Government is gearing up to call in backup for the country’s security forces as killings spike.

A joint statement from Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, TCI Governor and Washington Misick, TCI Premier, made the announcement Wednesday night after a young man was murdered in Grace Bay.

“At this time of heightened concern for our safety, we want to assure you of the police and wider national security response,” it began, “We remain determined in our efforts to stem these senseless acts of violence. The National Security Council is actively considering support for the police response to ensure the threats to our safety are gripped and effectively tackled in both the immediate and longer term.”

In late 2022, following an incredible increase in murders, the government reached out to The Bahamas, Jamaica, and others for assistance.

The Bahamas responded quickly, sending a group of 24 officers who were sworn into the Royal TCI Police Force and joined local officers on the line. The multinational force had success in stemming the violence, but with their eventual departure, the violence has once again spiked.

There has been no concrete confirmation yet from the government that it will be Bahamian officers that are called in this time around but Turks and Caicos has enjoyed tremendous support in the area of law enforcement from the UK, US and CARICOM.

A promise was made to keep the public informed.

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, July 27, 2023 – Togetherness and unity were running themes at the Official Opening Ceremony for the 45th Regional Conference of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region, for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association held on Monday July 24th at The Shore Club.

The conference allows countries to liaise on the global issues affecting the region and decide together on how they will use the legislative power of parliament to tackle them together.

Gordon Burton, TCI Speaker of the House of Assembly said decisions made this week would also guide the regions collective approach at upcoming international conference in Accra, Ghana.

“We are small island states but together we have a voice that can resonate throughout the commonwealth and impact decisions made on a global scale. Over the course of the conference engagement and discussions on potential solutions will be a major focus,” he explained.

Acknowledging the small size that works against them in global settings, the group of countries is placing emphasis on creating a unified front.

Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, Turks and Caicos Islands governor in citing the ongoing challenges which continue to impact the region including climate change and geopolitical tension, said the theme of resilience was especially well chosen.

Premier Washington Misick Urged the gathered delegates to use it as an opportunity to learn and maintained that resilience should be approached with adaptive leadership in mind.

“You are still very young and you are leaders in your own right, among you there are future premiers and future prime ministers so this conference should be seen as a place for you to learn from each other,[and]  to look at what we’re doing well,” said the premier.

Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader, urged transformation through co-operation.

“In this region we should be supporting each other so that none of us break down while in search of our destiny,” he maintained.

Akierra Missick, Member of Parliament for Leeward and Long Bay in the TCI and a former deputy premier, urged the gathered parliamentarians to err on the side of honesty.

“Let us not grow weary in doing what is right for we will reap a harvest if we do not give up, so whenever we have an opportunity let us work for the good of all,” she quoted.

Each island state was greeted by TCI youngsters in the country’s national costume and escorted by the country’s young cadet members, dressed in their army fatigues.

Attending countries included Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis Island, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, July 2, 2023 – Washington Misick, TCI Premier is hoping to harness the legal expertise afforded to the country by Governor Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam to speed up constitutional reform.  He made the request to the new governor during her swearing in this past Thursday June 29.

“To advance the changes needed we hope that with your professional qualifications, skills and experience in the areas of public policy law procurement and strategy together with your network in the power halls of the United Kingdom—we will find a way to expedite the changes needed in these areas.”

The Premier advised too, that the status of an overseas territory was fraught with potential for misunderstandings and the UK had many times misunderstood the ‘ground level realities’ and that had cost the country dearly, though they were working to improve.  He had encouragement for the newly appointed governor as well.

“What does matter will be your commitment to come to know us and use your high office in collaboration with the government— towards the aspirations of the people of these islands,” Misick maintained.

He said that the country’s economic boom had brought its own challenges including security threats and lop-sided development and admitted that social development is lagging despite the massive amount of money the country has stored away.

At the same time Misick maintained that to move forward, the Government would need more flexibility, a task with which Selvaratnam is expected to help.

During his speech, Misick recognized Anya Williams, Deputy Governor for her excellent service and lauded Selvaratnam for hitting a ‘double record’ being the first female governor and first governor of color.

Selvaratnam is a lawyer by trade with years of experience in the UK legal space.  Her Excellency, the sixteenth governor for the TCI, was sworn in on June 29th 2023 and is expected to serve a two year term as Governor.

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, July 1, 2023 – The interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands come first and already decided is a national familiarization tour, for the newly appointed governor to become directly acquainted with the islands and islanders.

In her first official, Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam was poised, succinct and clear about expectations and her role as the 16th governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“I am acutely aware of some of the issues on your mind, in particular national security, the constitution, social development, and the economy. My meetings with elected representatives, communities, officials, and bodies over this coming month will equip me with what I need to focus my priorities to best serve the interest of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” she said.

Crime was high on the list of deliverables for the new governor and with a decades long background in law and overseeing courts, she promised a rework of the justice system to come.

“Tackling the present challenge of the safety of these Turk and Caicos Islands requires now more than ever a strong relationship between the police, partner agencies, and our communities that they serve. I will be working with all involved to address the stark levels of criminality and much needed justice reforms, ” she promised.

She thanked Anya Williams, Deputy Governor for her ‘admirable and dedicated service’ over the past three months in the role of Acting Governor and reflected on the preparation she had for the role in the last six months meeting with former Governor, Nigel Dakin and Williams herself.

Selvaratnam maintained that her time in Anguilla, which ended in May, had also prepared her well for the job.

“My previous role taught me much about the issues and challenges which Caribbean Territories face, and our relationship with the United Kingdom and the region more widely. I will build on that experience to deliver the constitutional responsibility I now come to bear.”

After her address, she was presented with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers by one of the island’s boy scouts and met each member of the House of Assembly personally escorted by Gordon Burton, Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Selvaratnam will spend the first 10 days of her tenure touring the Turks and Caicos and visiting each constituency; a tour she says she anticipates will help her serve the country better as she aims to meet as many residents as possible.

“As I make my way through each and every inhabited island, I will listen and I hope to begin to appreciate your rich and multifarious societies, to witness with my own eyes, the beauty and diversity of each of the Islands and to learn about the gains and the challenges these bring.”

She had been brought to the House of Assembly under honour guard led by Trevor Botting, Commissioner of Police.

Selvaratnam took her oaths just after 10:00 am at the House of Assembly, at HJ Robinson High School auditorium after which she was addressed by Premier Washington Misick and Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition, both welcoming synergy and speaking bluntly about their own expectations.

“I’m sure each constituency is unique and only through meeting as many of you as possible can I begin to understand your respective concerns and ambitions for the islands and how I must shape my governorship,”  she said as she doubled down on her thrust to properly serve all islands and cays.

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, June 29, 2023 – The Police Force is promising to deliver records in under a week with the advent of a new automated police records system announced to go live in the Turks and Caicos by 8pm Wednesday June 28th; it’s in an effort to improve efficiency after years of serving excruciating wait times for the vital document.

Travel and employment are hinged on a good character certificate or positive police record; the Washington Misick administration had called the unreliable process “embarrassing” and vowed to implement a remedy.

In a press release on Tuesday June 27th, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force indicated that not only will the application process be faster, it will also be cheaper.

A shorter wait time and a one-stop payment system will allow applicants to pay the required $10 Processing Fee and the $10 Stamp fee via Debit or Credit Cards online instead of in person.

Applicants who are without a debit or credit card can continue making payments at the Treasury.

“The applications are processed and persons can collect their Police Records within FIVE working days,” the Police declared.

1. E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier and his team are credited for the fix to the current system which is poised to revolutionize the way and rate at which police records are disseminated.

Rodney Adams, Deputy Police Commissioner thanked residents for their years of patience.

“I know at times you were frustrated because of the inconveniences, but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel.”

The current system became obsolete at 6 p.m. Wednesday June 28th, and beta testing, in this phase, will run for a month ending on July 31st.

It’s anticipated the new and improved procedure will be fully operational on  August 1, 2023.

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, June 29, 2023 – Forty-two year old Anya Williams has been ably and historically acting as interim governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands; that stint, which started on March 29th ends today Wednesday June 28th following a three month appointment in the country’s top job.

Williams has now served as Acting Governor for over 97 days since becoming deputy governor back in March.

Williams now shifts fully back to her role as Deputy Governor, which has the mammoth task of managing the public sector.

She is only the second person to have been appointed as Deputy Governor since the position was created in 2006 and has held on to that position for over a decade making her the longest serving “DG” in TCI History.

She was also the first native Governor to attend the coronation of a British Monarch.

Williams hands over the reins to another history-making woman, Governor Designate, Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, the country’s first ever female governor on June 29th.

Since her appointment earlier this year, Selvaratnam and Williams have met on multiple official occasions as the former prepared to assume her role as Governor in the Turks and Caicos.

The new Governor will be officially sworn in at Parliament in Grand Turk on June 29.

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, June 29, 2023 – After an historic passing out ceremony held to the highest ranking officials of both the Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas in Rawson Square, Nassau, 18 members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) returned home on Sunday June 25, to a warm celebration at the Providenciales International Airport in Providenciales.

Government had invited the media and the public to attend the arrival of the new graduates of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Training College for a welcome home event; the atmosphere was joyous as they disembarked the flight.

The recruits arrived in RTCIPF branded jerseys and were embraced by family members loaded down with balloons. One recruit was even met by what appeared to be his daughter, dressed in a police officers uniform, hat and all; an adorable tribute.

The We Funk, Junkanoo group set the sound for the moment which was supported by Anya Williams; Acting Governor; Washington Misick, Premier and Trevor Botting, Commissioner of Police.

“I met you all before you went away and I had very high expectations but let me tell you’ve exceeded them,” Botting said, “I’m very proud to call you colleagues.”

The 18 men and women spent the past four months in Nassau where they were expected to be exposed to 22 weeks of training and lectures encompassing, the Laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Criminal Investigations, Patrol Procedures, Self-defense, Traffic Control, Firearms, Physicals, Precision Drills, and Driving Skills.

Commissioner Botting maintained that his Class of 2023 was returning at ‘just the right time’.  Turks and Caicos during the month of June, struggled with a rise in murders.

“You’re gonna have some time off, it might just be a day, I’ll see you Tuesday,” he joked.

The Turks and Caicos’ recruits graduated alongside 229 of their Bahamian comrades the Thursday prior, one of the largest graduating classes ever.

Attending the Graduation ceremony and Passing Out Parade from the Turks and Caicos were relatives; Washington Misick, TCI Premier and Anya Williams, Acting Governor.

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, June 19, 2023 – With the Destination Marketing and Management Organization, DMMO now set up, the dissolution of the TCI Tourist Board will likely come in weeks. It brings the Government closer to completion of the revamped process for management of the country’s number one industry, a decision which remains contentious, but one the PNP Administration believes is sound.

The bill to formally do away with the Board and release the current employees from contract has already been introduced to the House of Assembly.  Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism on May 31st, moved a motion, ahead of the June 30th deadline given to current employees.

The motion to dismantle the TCI Tourist Board at the legislative level follows months of controversy, confusion on the part of some residents, disdain on the part of the Opposition and attempts at reassurance from the Government.

Some residents wondered why the Government would hand over ownership of such a lucrative industry to a private company, others congratulated them on the forward thinking initiative. Despite the furious tug of war over the issue, the Government doggedly continued on course and the DMMO was signed into law and its bylaws created and signed by the Government.

“Whatever we do in this country is connected to Tourism,—and we have to focus on sustainability of the economy, the social balance, and our precious natural capital,” was the sentiment from Premier Washington Misick as he maintained that ‘nothing fails like success’ and he would not allow the Turks and Caicos’ tourism industry to fall into the same trap.

At least ten positions were advertised in the weeks following the announcement but the Government has not yet indicated who is running the show officially or if a CEO has been chosen. What residents also have no idea of yet, is if anyone from the soon to be dissolved Tourist Board will be chosen to fill any of the positions.

The DMMO, if successful, is supposed to bring in at least $640 million to the TCI in the next decade.