Special Envoy & Minister Dolores React to Torture Video

Two weeks ago, the disturbing video of a fifteen-year-old boy being tortured in the Conch Shell Bay area of Belize City at the hands of two men went viral on social media. As a responsible media house, News Five did not rebroadcast the chilling video on television or Facebook that captured the minor being stomped on the head, being hit repeatedly and his finger severed. In the wake of the incident, the National Women’s Commission and the Office of the Special Envoy issued a statement on the brutality.  When we asked about the services being provided to the minor, here’s how Special Envoy Rossana Briceño and Minister Dolores Balderamos Garcia responded.

Rossana Briceño

Rossana Briceño, Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children

“I di get to see it unfortunately and I wonder where it came from. Who was so cruel to do something like that? Unfortunately, TV stations also made it its business to sensationalise it when they should know better that this is a fifteen-year-old and they need to be held accountable. So let’s start with the media then you come ask we what we will do. But I know that the Human Resources, that the Ministry of Education, whoever else need to do their share to protect these children. We have laws in place to protect the children. Now what needs to be worked on are the laws for those perpetrators. We have domestic violence act, we have cyber-bullying; we have all kinds of acts and laws in place, but they are not being adhered to.”

Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“We do have the Human Services Department that gives a lot of emphasis to following up on these kinds of cases. And I will make it my business to do a follow up with the Human Services Department.”