Select a region
The Bailiff has agreed to a request from the Policy & Resources Committee to allow an urgent debate on the war in Ukraine at the States' meeting which starts next Wednesday.
At the end of the debate, States' members will vote on the following Proposition:
"To affirm that the States of Guernsey stands with other democratic parliaments, and governments, in condemning the unwarranted and unjust acts of aggression of the Russian Federation against the sovereign state of Ukraine and its people and that the States of Guernsey supports the government and people of Ukraine in their valiant struggle to remain free to determine their own future."
Last week, Express reported its understanding that Policy & Resources, the States' senior committee, was considering submitting a Policy Letter to trigger a States' debate for deputies and the Assembly collectively to put their views on the public record.
A Policy Letter was published at 10:00 this morning together with confirmation from H M Deputy Greffier that the Bailiff has allowed it to be added late to the agenda for next week's States' meeting.
Pictured: The States have traditionally been reluctant to comment on foreign policy matters, for which the UK is constitutionally responsible, but the Policy & Resources Committee, led by Deputy Peter Ferbrache, believes the war in Ukraine justifies a debate in the island's parliament.
Deputy Peter Ferbrache, President of the Committee, said: "We have already taken steps in line with the UK and other members of the British family to support Ukraine. These include the quick implementation of sanctions against Russia and financial support for aid agencies supporting the Ukrainian people.
"But supporting these Propositions through our parliamentary process is another important way we can make very clear that the Bailiwick stands with Ukraine and is firmly opposed to the Russian Federation’s invasion.
"There is no justification for the horrific violence being inflicted upon innocent Ukrainian men, women and children. History will remember what is happening now, as it will remember the heroic efforts being made by the people of Ukraine to defend their home."
The Proposition on which the States are being asked to vote is capable of amendment by the Assembly. A possible candidate for an amendment is the issue of whether, how and when the Bailiwick may be able to welcome refugees fleeing war in Ukraine who are not close family members of a person already living in the islands.
Before the urgent Policy Letter on Ukraine was published, the States already had two potentially substantial items to debate at next week's meeting: proposals to set up a development agency to run large parts of the island's east coast and a recommendation to introduce simultaneous electronic voting in the Assembly.
States could debate Ukraine crisis
Call for local households to host refugees fleeing war in Ukraine
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.