An Update on the People’s Constitutional Commission

Henry Charles Usher

The legislation for the People’s Constitutional Commission was tabled in the House of Representative for first reading in June. Minor amendments were made and at the next house sitting, the second and third readings will be held and it will be passed into law. Even before June, a lot of work has been done and is ongoing, says Minister Henry Charles Usher because the Good Governance Unit serves as the secretariat of the commission.  Minister Usher says that it will take about a year and a half for the thorough review of the constitution.  Recommendations will then be taken to the House before going to the people via a referendum. 

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Constitutional and Political Reform

“It is going to be an exercise that will take around fifteen to eighteen months. We want to do widespread consultation. We want to make sure that we hear the views of the Belizean people on a number of issues – not only about the way we are governed or any amendments to the constitution; it is looking at all the laws and looking at ways that we can improve the governance in this country. After that consultation and research and deliberation, it will then be put in the form of a recommendation and that recommendation will go to the House. Thereafter the people will have a final say in the form of a referendum. So it is a well-thought out, well-crafted process and we are glad that we are finally getting it going with the passing of legislation soon to come.”