P.M.: C.J.’s ruling in landowners case will be overturned

Last Friday Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh ruled against the Government of Belize, calling their proposed amendment to section seventeen of the constitution incompatible with the basic structure of the supreme document as it makes access to the court unavailable. Businessman Barry Bowen and the Landowners Association challenged the amendment in the case, which also had to do with land rights. Today the Prime Minister disagreed with the C.J. and expressed confidence that the ruling will be overturned at the higher court.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Without a doubt that is going to be appealed, we’re going to appeal that. I completely disagree with the Chief Justice. I don’t know how passing constitutional amendments in the form and fashion that the constitution decides can be unconstitutional. But we will wait on the Court of Appeal to make its finding. Let me just say that I am confident that the Chief Justice’s judgment will be overturned.”

Kendra Griffith
“So you don’t feel that you all are blocking access to the courts for any grievances?”

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“No, no, no. It blocks access to the court for one specific thing only; challenge the vesting of the petroleum under the soil in the government. That’s all it does. I think he misunderstood the burden of the amendments but, as I said, I limit myself to saying that I have every confidence that it’s going to be completely overturned.”