Ombudsman evaluates first six months in office

Six months after the office of Belize’s first Ombudsman was opened, Paul Rodriguez says he’s had his hands full. While cases of alleged police brutality and complaints against the Ministry of Lands make up a large percentage of his cases, Rodriguez says Belizeans do understand the role of the Ombudsman and they aren’t afraid to knock on his door and voice a complaint.

Paul Rodriguez, Ombudsman

“Just this afternoon, before you came to see me, a lady came to complain about a boatyard in her neighborhood that is a nuisance. Now, somebody who is inexperience might say, that’s a matter between two private persons, but it isn’t because she has complained to the environmental agency and to the Belize City Council, which she says have done nothing so far.

The lady is asthmatic; her mother is also asthmatic and the dust from the fiberglass with which they make the boats affects both of them. Plus it’s a nuisance in other ways to the whole neighborhood. So that is very much something that the Ombudsman should look into.”

Q: “Six months later, do you still like your job?”

Paul Rodriguez

“As I told you Janelle, one thing I won’t die of is boredom. It’s extremely interesting work and I think sometimes, very fulfilling in the sense that it makes you feel good that you can listen to the grievance of a person and do something about it.”

The Ombudsman says anyone who comes to the office will get a hearing but not necessarily an investigation. If the matter turns out to be something which has to be handled by the Civil Court, the Police Department, or any other organization, Rodriguez says he will point citizens in the right direction.