Myron Walwyn, a senior member of the National Democratic Party (centre), alongside fellow Opposition members Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull and Stacy Mather, members of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM)l
The Opposition has accused the Dr Natalio Wheatley–led government of continuing a pattern of victimisation against civil servants and citizens who express dissenting views.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn said freedom of speech in the Virgin Islands is “on thin ice,” warning that government critics now risk intimidation or even police action.
He referred to instances in the House of Assembly, where government members often show “open disregard” for opposing views, frequently interrupting and attempting to silence those who speak differently during debates.
In recent times, Walwyn has been heckled by government members during House of Assembly sittings, sometimes prompting the House Speaker to adjourn to restore order.
Walwyn claimed that the same culture of intolerance extends beyond the House of Assembly, with civil servants allegedly being “intimidated and threatened with the loss of their jobs for exercising their constitutional right to speak out against wrongdoing.”
He further alleged that even private citizens have been pressured to delete Facebook posts and other online comments that portray the government unfavourably. “This kind of behaviour is dangerous,” Walwyn said. “It strikes at the heart of our democracy and undermines the freedom that generations before us fought hard to protect.”
When pressed by a journalist to identify the source of the threats and to elaborate on his claims, Walwyn declined to name anyone directly. “Sometimes when people come to us, they come in confidence,” he said. “Suffice to say that as a representative, when people raise these issues with me, I feel obligated to speak about them. The key is that the government will know certain persons are aware of this, and the offensive behaviour hopefully will stop.”
The Opposition leader’s remarks add to ongoing concerns about political intimidation in the public service. In 2023, the Governor’s Office reported receiving complaints from civil servants who said they feared retaliation for speaking out.
Similar allegations also surfaced under former Premier Andrew Fahie’s administration, when the Governor confirmed that his office had been investigating reports of political victimisation and interference within the public sector.
Walwyn said the Virgin Islands has long valued open dialogue and mutual respect, and urged the government to safeguard that legacy by protecting citizens’ right to speak freely without fear of reprisal.
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