We Are Not Going To Cry Over Ripped Draft Policy Says Minister

On Wednesday, a video surfaced online showing village leaders from Corazon, San Lucas and Mabil Ha ripping up the Government of Belize’s proposed draft Maya Communal Land Policy. According to the villagers, the proposed changes threaten the livelihoods and well-being of these communities. Their collective cry was for G.O.B. to “respect us, respect our lands”. Well, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Dolores Balderamos- Garcia says she believes those leaders are acting a bit hasty because of external influences.

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs

“What they tore up was a draft so we are not going to cry over that and no disrespect whatever to those village members, but we honestly believe that they are acting a bit hasty and because of influence that is coming and one would probably know from where. Now, I can confirm to you that the policy is still in draft stages and that we will be carrying out further consultations, now in relation to the extent, when we bring the law, in relation to the extent that a village goes outwards, it is only one of the suggestions and the proposals that we have made, that for a small village, for the actual communal land that it can go out one kilometer, but we can increase that. I hope we wouldn’t decrease it, but it is not a whole lot of space. But for a smaller area the proposal is that the communal land can extend out one kilometer and for bigger villages, perhaps two kilometers of even more. But if you read the policy, and this is why I am saying that there are people out there who are being irresponsible, if you read the policy carefully it would say that the government, as a proposal, and we will still consult with you, but as a proposal, we are saying that it can extent a kilometer or two kilometers. Btu there is a proviso in that section of the draft that says government would be willing to provide that without further proof of use and occupation. If you can provide further proof of use and cultivation, naturally we have to take that into account.”