P.C.C. to Launch Public Education Campaign on the Constitution of Belize

Henry Charles Usher

We also asked Henry Charles Usher, in his capacity as the Minister of Public Service and Constitutional Reform, for an update on the undertakings of the People’s Constitution Commission. The Commission has already held several meetings, with one scheduled for next week Wednesday where they will likely discuss dates for the public consultation process to commence. And, one thing the P.C.C. has agreed on is that there is a need for a public education campaign on the Constitution of Belize.

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service

“The PCC was established on November fourteenth, last year, just two months ago. They have had some meetings so far; I believe three or four meetings. A meeting is scheduled for next week Wednesday. I believe at that meeting on Wednesday they will finalize the schedule of public consultations that they will be having. Of course, as part of this process there is an education campaign. We have to make sure that Belizeans home and abroad are aware of what the constitution says, are aware of what other conditions say as well. And, I think that is a critical exercise that has to be done in consultation or in conjunction with the consultation process. So, the PCC is operating. They are independent from government so it is not a government driven initiative. It is a commission that has its independence legislated and its terms of reference the way it carries out its work. There is a mandate but they are free to decide how to carry out their work.”