Association of Defense Attorneys Formed
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
A group of attorneys have formed an association that will focus on tackling issues affecting the poor population in Belize. They are called the Association of Defense Attorneys and will focus on increase awareness of police abuse, human rights and improper incarceration. Attorney Richard Dickie Bradley is a part of the association; he says that is time for lawyers to look after the rights and interest of the poorer class.
Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney
“Police officers are in fact peace officers. They are there to protect us. They are not there to chance us and take advantage of us and when you are poor they can kick you up and stamp you up and lock you up and not charge you. You know I want to say something. There is an association that has recently been formed. It is called the Association of Defense Attorneys because you guys won’t hear anything from the Bar Association about this type of thing, about the ongoing abuse of the poor people in the country. But the lawyers have come to realization they need to do more for this society. We are going down a bad road. This is the capita of our country. Set an example.”
Hipolito Novelo
“How many attorneys are a part of the group that you mentioned?”
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
“Nearly all the defense attorneys. Must be about eighteen or twenty or so who go and defend people at the court. This is a good day and I want you all to try and find who is in charge of the Human Rights Commission in Belize and ask why is it that we are not hearing from them. Ever since Kevin Arthurs resigned or left that group they have gone silent just when we need them the most. It is not for me to come here and talk these things. There are a lot of attorneys they know what happens; they know how poor people are treated in this country.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Are we seeing the splintering of the Bar Association?”
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
“If it is a splintering? No because most of these persons were never really keened to belong to the Bar. The Bar is a bourgeoisie middle class ‘highty-tighty’ association, in my humble opinion.”
