An Extradition Amendment Bill, Is it Practice After Race?
Wilfred Elrington
In November the Government of Belize was humiliated after Mexican-American fugitive David Nanes Schnitzer slipped out of its grasp with the greatest of ease. Nanes had been formally requested by Mexico, and located in San Pedro with the assistance of U.S. Marshalls. But days after, he was granted bail of ten thousand dollars and vanished hours after. So who dropped the ball in the extradition of the wanted man? That’s open to interpretation. It turns out that Mexico and Belize have had an extradition treaty for almost three decades, but at least in Belize it has never been formally made law. Today, at a sitting of the House of Representatives, that process started with the tabling of the Extradition Amendment Bill.
Wilfred Elrington, Area Representative, Pickstock
“This is in relation to an extradition treaty that was signed in August of 1988 here in Belize. It was actually signed and ratified, but for some reason it was never incorporated into domestic law. For the treaty to have efficacy when we have requests for extradition from Mexico it is necessary for the treaty to be part of our domestic law.”
Dean Barrow
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“There obviously is a difference of procedure with respect to the laws of our country and the laws of Mexico. From what I understand the Mexican Ambassador to be saying, when there was the bilateral treaty arrangement between us…that was enough to bring the treaty into force and to have it take practical effect in Mexico. That’s not the case in Belize. We signed the treaty and the treaty is valid as between the two countries but in terms of being able to implement its provisions I this country something more needed to be done. We had to domesticate that treaty, as it were. We had to incorporate it into municipal law and that is what the bill this morning was about.”
Are you serious?
Do we have no better young intellects in Belize to represent us rather than Wilfred Elrignton? First of all, he is extremely unattractive and always not properly groomed. He looks filthy and as we all know first impression is imperative.
Secondly,
Wilfred Elrignton does not speak Spanish which should be a mandatory pre-requisite for the current position which he holds.
Thirdly,
Mr. Elrignton seems to have no concern for the Belize or Belizeans. He is a self – centered, manipulative individual with antiquated ideologies. That’s because there has been enormous growth since he was last educated. I think it is time for our country to give a young up and coming super star who is fluent in both English and Spanish an opportunity to represent us.
Hopefully, Prime Minister Barrow will read this post and take it seriously. For you Sir it is also time for you to step aside and allow our country to grow at a rate faster than it currently is. Give the new generation a chance to introduce new ideas, new learnings. Their education was built and expanded on those on which you were educated. Therefore, they can offer to our country what you can and more with even less effort.
As far as the granting of bail for people who commit or conspire to commit felonies goes. Mr. Prime Minister this is unheard of. These individuals should be held without bail. Again, this reflects back to your antiquated education. Who in Belize is writing bills to be passed into Law? Who is seriously reviewing our antiquated Laws? You make me sick. May God provide the strength to our people of Belize to open their eyes and realize that it is time. Time for the new generation to take over and lead our nation.