What’s the Future of the Equal Opportunities Bill?

The government decided not to table the controversial Equal Opportunities Bill after churchgoers, particularly the National Evangelical Association of Belize, began making their discontent with the bill known. The Cabinet said that the bill is overdue and was prepared to support it in its entirety. The bill was spearheaded by the National Aids Commission in partnership with the Ministry of Human Development and Special Envoy for Women and Children. Both C.E.O. Judith Alpuche and Kim Simplis Barrow say they are disappointed that the bill did not make it to the House. 

Hipolito Novelo

“Were you disappointed that the Equal Opportunities Bill did not make to the House and House committee.”

Judith Alpuche

Judith Alpuche, C.E.O., Ministry of Human Development

“Absolutely, because as you know I am a proponent of that E.O.B. I continue to be. I feel very strongly that every human being has dignity and worth. I believe very strongly that the state as the duty bearer must protect everyone from discrimination. And the same way I think that bill goes over and above in protecting the rights of the church. Everybody’s right must be protected. So I can tell you I Judith Alpuche I am still committed to ensuring that there is equal protection for people under the law and that people do not face hate and discrimination in this country.”

Kim Simplis Barrow

Kim Simplis Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children

“So when we are talking about humans rights we are talking human rights for all and that is one area which I am not willing to negotiate. It is rights for everyone. We all have rights and affording you rights is not taking away your rights that you had for a long time. So when you are talking about humans rights and when you talk about if we remove this and this will go through this is not about winning for me. This is about human rights, equal opportunities for all and that is the focus.”