 In 2017 legislation was introduced in the House of Assembly of the British Virgin Islands to provide for a Commission, but the legislative process became delayed when Hurricane Irma struck the Territory and the Bill has not yet been passed into law.The British Virgin Islands Criminal Code creates certain specific criminal offences relating to human rights, such as genocide, but does not contain any general statement of human rights.Although the BVI have their own constitution and laws, the United Kingdom government retains sovereign power over the islands, and from time to time has exercised that power by issuing so-called “orders-in-council” that have imposed certain laws upon the BVI, including human rights protections, the spirit of which is contrary to the desires of the majority of BVI residents.