Dissecting the World Justice Report 2022

Caleb Orozco

As government discusses the climate justice and the 2030 agenda, the issue surrounding migrant populations, sex workers, and the L.G.B.T. community persist.  While PlanBelize speaks to the cross cutting theme of gender equity and equality, Orozco asks for whom.

Caleb Orozco, United Belize Advocacy Movement

“It was the prime minister some months ago who said that it was important to develop countries to advance the concept of climate justice. I believe it was the prime minister who said we had a shared responsibility when he was presenting at an event that the Duke was at. What does shared responsibility look like if the symbols of the state refuse or are perpetuating practices of marginalization that exclude rights holders from strengthening the system? What does it mean to have shared responsibility as an organization dealing with marginalized or excluded populations if you as a representative of the state are uncomfortable acknowledging me as a citizen. And so, there are deep philosophical and deep reflections that must take place in our system and we must ask ourselves whether the state has designed our system to promote marginalization and exclusion or if the state is truly committed to its allegiance to our constitution which requires the state to address the economic and social disparities between citizens. It was only recently that Minister Usher spoke of an inclusive process and it was only recently that the prime minister of Belize spoke of the recognition of the diversity of our people. They are now being challenged to raise the bar of governance, budget allocation, strategy, interventions and a commitment to ensure that when we speak about justice, it means that we have strong redress systems, it means that the poor are not alienated or criminalized for being poor.”