And Says US Embassy has Supported UNIBAM

Carlos Moreno

While the constitutional challenge to repeal Section Fifty-Three of Belize’s Criminal Code remains before the Supreme Court, a decision is yet to be handed down by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin on the matter.  It is no secret however, that the claimant, UNIBAM’s executive director Caleb Orozco, has received grant funding from the U.S. Embassy to further its awareness campaign to end stigma and discrimination against people of different sexual orientation, as well as those afflicted by HIV and AIDS.

Carlos Moreno, U.S. Ambassador to Belize

“I should state that the position of the United States Government is to promote human rights and dignity with respect to all persons.  The question of LGBT rights is really just a subset of rights that are attached to everyone.  The government believes in citizen equality, that applies to persons with varying sexual orientation, it applies to women, it applies to foster children, people who are mentally ill.  It applies to protecting, under the rule of law, the cultural interests of the Mayas and the Garifuna.  So protection of LGBT rights is really just part of the overall umbrella of protection for any and all marginalized groups.  I would also draw a very firm line against any kind of criminal activity or violence committed against any one of these groups for whatever reason they might give in to personal animus by a group or individual against those groups.  So with respect to the LGBT community I know that the embassy has sponsored or provided grants to UNIBAM and supported them in sponsoring a conference to address the stigma and discrimination that applies to persons of different sexual orientation.  We’ve also provided grants with respect to HIV and AIDS issues, not only to UNIBAM but a variety of other groups and programs.  So I can’t be more clear than to say that we are a very diverse world.  This is a very diverse country and that we must respect the human rights of all people.”