People’s Constitutional Commission Being Formed

Prime Minister John Briceño

The People’s Constitutional Commission is taking shape. The commission is being established to take a comprehensive look at the Constitution of Belize, as well openness and transparency in governance. The commission is also expected to deliberate Belize’s decolonization process. Nationwide consultations are to be held by the commission on these issues. Back in March of this year, Minister Henry Charles Usher announced the creation of a Good Governance Unit under the Constitutional and Political Reform Ministry that will be the secretariat for the People’s Constitutional Reform Committee. Today, reporters asked Prime Minister Briceño for an update on the formation of the commission. Here is what he told us.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Yes, what happened is, we discussed it at the last Cabinet meeting. It was a lengthy discussion. It is important for us to start the process of setting up that commission. We want to ensure that commission can report back within one year. We are in the process of inviting persons from different sectors of the community, from the NGOS, to private sector, political parties, and so forth. I know now that I have heard some people in the media say well, no one has invited them from the media. I don’t think it was done deliberately that we do not want to invite the media. If there is interest from the media, when we get back we can certainly take a look at that and invite a member of the media to be able to represent you all.”