Motion Presented in Senate to Include Honduras Claim as Part of I.C.J.Case

A fiery debate topped the Senate’s agenda today on the Belize-Guatemala dispute. It happened when Senator Eamon Courtenay presented a Motion for Belize to accede to the Treaty of Bogota, to which Honduras is a signatory. The treaty stipulates for a general obligation on the signatories to settle their disputes through peaceful means and also requires them to apply regional dispute-settlement mechanisms before placing matters before the United Nations Security Council. Belize’s accession to the treaty, Courtenay explained, becomes relevant in light of advice that Belize’s legal team has given the government regarding our case with Guatemala at the I.C.J. Why? It so happens that Honduras has also had a claim to our southern-most islets called the Sapodilla Cayes soon after our Independence from Great Britain in 1981. It is a matter that the U.D.P feels must be brought to the Belizean people to decide in a referendum. Leader of the Opposition, Shyne Barrow issued a release this afternoon stating that, “any decision that will amend the IC.J. Referendum decision regarding our land and maritime must be made by the citizens of Belize in a referendum after National consultations. The fact that the P.U.P. Government has not made any attempt to consult with the Belizean people on such a critical matter of National importance that impacts our territorial integrity is deplorable”. Senator Courtenay explained why it is important to include the treaty as a part of the case.

Eamon Courtenay

Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Since 1982, Honduras has included a claim to the Sapodilla Cayes in its constitution. We do not believe that the Honduran claim is credible. Because both Belize and Guatemala claim the Sapodillas in the I.C.J case, which said cayes are claimed by Honduras in its constitution, it is our understanding that Honduras will feel obliged to intervene in the Belize-Guatemala case now before the I.C.J to assert its claim to the Sapodillas. Madam President, Belize and Honduras have excellent relations. After taking legal advice, we have engaged the Honduran Government with a view to negotiating a resolution of their claim to the Sapodillas on the basis of Honduras acknowledging Belize’s exclusive sovereignty over the Sapodillas. Regrettably, this has not been successful. If, as we believe is likely, Honduras applies to intervene in the case now before the court, it is likely to affect the Belize-Guatemala case. Once the I.C.J becomes aware of a claim by Honduras to the Sapodillas, there is a significant risk that the court would not delimit the Maritime Areas that appertain to the Sapodillas, thereby leaving unresolved a large part of our maritime entitlement. Indeed the I.C.J may decide not to pronounce on sovereignty over the Sapodillas as well, even as Belize and Guatemala. This would mean that sovereignty over a very important part of our sovereign domain, the Sapodillas and the Maritime Areas pertaining to it would remain unresolved. In light of all the circumstances, and based on legal advice from our international lawyers, Madam President, Belize seeks to accede to the Pact of Bogota, a Treaty to which Honduras is a party.”