Shyne Says P.U.P. is Weaponizing the Constitution of Belize
Julius Espat
According to Julius Espat, chair of the Constitution House Committee, they are simply trying to establish a criteria for anyone desirous of becoming the next leader of the country. The move, says Opposition Leader Barrow, is merely a ploy to unseat from parliament.
Julius Espat, Chair, Constitution House Committee
“If we have a problem in the international courts, he leads the charge. If there is an emergency and a crisis, he leads the charge. You have to have somebody that’s credible, that’s all we are trying to do, establish a level that everybody is proud of, that can support, it doesn’t matter the political affiliation, it’s the credibility of the person that leads. And every country is going through that doubt, that question, every country, that’s why you have reforms, people are asking.”
Isani Cayetano
“And while reform is great and perhaps it’s the way to go, some would argue that so is redemption. If a man has had a chance to clean up his act and aspires to high office then…”
Julius Espat
“My brother, I’ll be honest with you. I pray for any convicted rapist, I hope they live a great life, but I would never have them take care of my child. That’s my decision. I would not sleep well.”
Shyne Barrow
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“The law, as drafted by the original drafters of the constitution, they envisioned what it is that they were trying to accomplish. Now here we are forty-three years later and the People’s United Party wants to totally change the law to go outside of the Commonwealth. The law, as it stands, only deals with crimes committed in the Commonwealth. That is for good reason because in other jurisdictions, you could be sentenced to prison for a year or more for crimes having to do with your sexual orientation, for crimes having to do with your religious beliefs, for crimes having to do with your political beliefs, for other crimes that we may not consider crimes in Belize or throughout the Commonwealth. That is for good reason that it is restricted to the Commonwealth, but this is clearly ad hominem. They are changing the constitution to suit the agenda which is to overthrow the Leader of the Opposition and destabilize the United Democratic Party.”
Isani Cayetano
“Depending on where this all goes, are you prepared for a legal challenge to be mounted?”
Shyne Barrow
“Absolutely, but I do not believe that it will pass in the Senate. I do not believe that it will pass in the Senate, so we’ll take it one step at a time. I do not believe the independent senators will support such a legislation.”
