Human Right’s President sanctions expulsions
We frequently hear about confrontations along the often-remote frontier between Belize and Guatemala, but there have rarely been any neutral witnesses on hand to corroborate official reports. Last year News Five accompanied one BDF patrol in the Chiquibul Forest, which ended in the discovery of a marijuana plantation and its Guatemalan farmers. On Tuesday we joined the army on another mission. Stewart Krohn reports.
From the air there is no physical evidence to indicate where the nation of Belize ends and Guatemala begins. It all looks like an endless jungle. But thanks to modern electronics and years of experience our pilot knows exactly where he is going. Today he’s carrying a team of civilians: Human Right’s Commission President Simeon Sampson, a government press office cameraman and this reporter to observe a sensitive military operation.
Stewart Krohn
“We’re at a helicopter landing zone called Edward Central, it’s about two miles from the Guatemalan border. One kilometre to the south is a settlement of approximately forty-five illegal Guatemalan immigrants. It’s the BDF’s job to give them their walking papers”
The mission is a delicate one because in the past Guatemalans living near the border have alleged that the BDF patrols have acted like thugs and harassed residents living legally on the Guatemalan side of the frontier. The Guatemalan press and politicians have exploited these incidents and tensions between the two sides have been running high. Today, however, there will be little controversy. The Guatemalan settlers, who have cleared ten or so acres of forest reserve and replaced the high bush with corn, are clearly on Belizean territory…and they know it. All that remains is to formally serve the eviction notice.
BDF Soldier
(In Spanish) “In three days you must leave Belize…”
According to law, each illegal immigrant is issued a notice to leave Belize within seventy-two hours.
BDF Soldier
“Jose Coc Cal, Concepcion Coc Cal, Francisco Chuc Teul, Rosa Pancho, Geronimo Pakai…”
Simeon Sampson, who has explained his position as an independent human rights advocate, insures that the order, printed in English, is clearly understood–along with the penalties for disobeying the law.
Simeon Sampson, President, Human Right’s Commission of Belize
(In Spanish) “This letter notifies you…”
BDF Soldier
“We shall enforce the law and we shall dismantle the dwellings by mechanical means. However, the crops will remain standing, we are not going to destroy the crops”
The farmers will be permitted to return in several weeks to harvest and transport their corn back to Guatemala. While they assure Sampson that they’ll comply with the law, they also ask him to intercede with the Belize Government to find them a different place where they can settle legally. As for today’s mission, the HRCB president is clear on how it was handled.
Simeon Sampson
“There is absolutely no doubt that the Guatemalans aliens, illegal and undocumented that we met a few minutes ago, were given their full human rights. And that is the reason why I had to bow to the request by the Prime Minister to become part of the Human Right’s Commission of Belize to oversee these situations to avoid any claim or complaints internationally that our law enforcement people tend to abuse illegal peasants, farming peasants of their rights unnecessarily”
But to make sure the right of Belize to control its own borders is maintained, the soldiers will patrol the area on a regular basis.
Stewart Krohn
“We don’t know how the BDF soldiers behave when they’re on their own, but certainly today in the presence of the Human Right’s Office and the media, they did their job well and by the book. For that they cannot be faulted by anyone on either side of the border. Reporting for News Five, I am Stewart Krohn”
On Friday observers are scheduled to return to the area to determine if the settlers have departed, and if not to ensure that their expulsion or arrest is accomplished according to law.
