Growing Requests for Representation on the People’s Constitution Commission

Prime Minister John Briceño

The Kriol Council of Belize and two youth representatives have been added to the People’s Constitutional Commission, following Monday’s committee meeting inside the National Assembly. Prime Minister John Briceño says no further representatives will be sought to sit on the commission. He made this announcement ahead of a joint release from the East Indian Council of Belize and the Corozal Organization of East Indian Cultural Heritage expressing concern and alarm over its exclusion from the P.C.C. Notwithstanding the limitation, P.M. Briceño says extensive consultations will be held across the country.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think we want to stop where we are. We yesterday agreed to include two young people, there are two different organizations. There is a group of people; I don’t remember the names, of young people, of which Minister Usher has asked them to name one. Then there is another one, future leaders of Belize? Young Leaders Alliance of Belize, thank you, they have been outstanding. So, we will be asking them to name a person. Lastly, we have agreed that although the Kriol Council of Belize has not been active, they have asked that they want to put somebody in there so I guess we will put somebody in there. The issue is that everybody speaks Creole in Belize so we want to put them in there. What is important is that the Commission is going to have extensive consultations with everyone. So, if you are not in the Commission, that does not mean you cannot go and put your position, give your ideas and voice your concerns and ideas in how we can reform the Constitution and make our democracy  even deeper and stronger in our country.”

Reporter

“The Diaspora and U.E.F., I think the former Leader of the Opposition says he supports a Diaspora rep.”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“They could always come and speak to the Commission at anytime.”