Council of Churches offers position on Equal Opportunities Bill

Last week, the Belize Council of Churches issued a press release to provide its position on the Equal Opportunities Bill. According to the Council of Churches, they are supportive of the idea of legislation that would further promote and protect the right to equal protection under the law and non-discrimination, contained in the Constitution of Belize. The release says, “we are willing to consider legislation which will protect against unreasonable and unjustifiable discrimination on the grounds of health (including HIV/AIDS) and violence against women and children, provided that it is fair to all.”  The statement pointed out that the Council of Churches does not support the proposed Equal Opportunities Bill in its current form, saying, “The Bill, as presented to us, has grave and negative implications for the Churches of Belize, particularly in the areas of constitutional rights and freedoms, civil liberties, marriage, education, employment and business. We believe this bill, if passed in its current form, will seriously affect our ability to properly carry out the mission and ministry of the Church in this country and for the people we serve.”