Human Rights Commission launches video
The public may be most familiar with the work of the Human Rights Commission of Belize when we hear them speaking out about alleged cases of police brutality, but the commission actually tackles a number of other issues, which generally receive less publicity. The contents of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed by the United Nations are also not widely known. To help create awareness of the work of the commission and the signing of the declaration fifty years ago tomorrow a video commissioned by the H.R.C.B. will be launched. The program highlights the various ways in which the commission is assisting Belizeans whose rights have been violated and the H.R.C.B.’s educational campaign to make people aware of their rights. These include everything from the right to protection against torture to the right to an education, the freedom to marry the person of your choice, choose your religion, participate in politics, and to own property. Tonight News Five gives you a preview of the documentary called, “The Human Rights Commission of Belize: It’s For All of Us”.
Dorla Foreman
“We have parents out here having their children going to sell. And they come by and I say why aren’t you going to school? And they say my mommy says if I don’t sell this they’re going to whip me.”
Linda Gamero
“Her son was pulled by police, brought to prison and they were not allowed to see their son. They were not allowed to take, they didn’t have any information about their son. So they didn’t know what they were being charged, why he was being taken in, where their son was at this time.”
Carlos Moreno
“Brutality is just one. We cannot focus only on brutality. We also focus on the rights of the AIDS patients, the rights of children, the rights that women have.”
Ricky Pelayo Jr.
“I joined the Human Rights Commission in early August. I have learned a lot about myself first of all – to be able to speak out for my rights and other things. I have also learned about the violations especially that of child abuse and police brutality even though sometimes we may close our eyes to what is happening out there. Sometimes you’re faced with the case over there and it’s hard; it’s hard to see how some people’s rights are being violated.”
Linda Gamero
“One thing I feel I have to make sure as coordinator for Human Rights is I go through all the country of Belize, working along with the people, teaching them, reaching to schools, going as far as P.G., up to Corozal, going through all the country, making sure that people understand human rights is for them.”
If you would like to find out more about the rights guaranteed to you by the Universal Declaration or how you can be assisted by the H.R.C.B. you can contact the commission at their headquarters in Belmopan or their district offices. The documentary will be aired on Channel Five at seven thirty tomorrow night.
