Government & Churches Issue Joint Statement on Writ of Referendum

A joint statement was released late this evening from the Government of Belize and the churches regarding the issue of the Writ of Referendum. This follows the churches’ request for the Governor-General to defer issuing the Writ until a date to be set. The joint statement mentions, in part, that the Government of Belize recognizes and appreciates the successful effort of the Church Leaders in garnering the required ten percent threshold of petitions to trigger a National Referendum on the Cannabis Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill, 2022. The release goes over a statement that Prime Minister John Briceño made publicly that the Bill would not be brought into force until banking–related issues as they pertain to proceeds linked to cannabis are resolved. The churches had been concerned about the negative effect this issue would have on Belize’s domestic banks’ correspondent banking relationships. The release also refers to a meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister, Cordel Hyde and other members of Cabinet with Church Leaders to discuss the referendum and the cost of holding a National Referendum at this time. Additionally, it refers to Senator Bishop Moses Benguche expressing the position of the Church Leaders in writing and the agreement to postpone the National Referendum. The release ends with the following statement: Therefore, the parties agree to this joint statement: One, the Church Leaders on behalf of the petitioners and the Government of Belize request of the Governor General to defer the issuing of the Writ of Referendum until a date to be determined. Two, the Government of Belize undertakes to introduce legislation at the next sitting of the House of Representatives to mandate the holding of a National Referendum on the matter of The Bill to determine the will of the Belizean people. Three, in the interest of national unity and cooperation the parties will continue to dialogue and work together on this matter and all matters of national concern.” The churches’ request to defer issuing the writ came after their letter to Deputy Prime Minister Hyde and meeting in July.