Help for Progress Not Authorized to Process Applications for Refugee Status

For weeks now, we have been running the story of a program for refugees. We have showed you images of persons lining up at the Help for Progress offices in Belmopan where the applications were being received and processed. Late this evening, there was an announcement by government following a meeting of Cabinet. Government announced that there is no formal agreement between the government and Help for Progress, authorizing the N.G.O. to receive applications for refugee status in Belize or to conduct interviews to determine who has a legitimate case. According to a release, it is only the reactivated Refugee Eligibility Committee that can process applications. We’ll have more on this on Wednesday.