G.O.B. Closer to Implementing Consent Order on Maya Land Rights

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

The Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs is a few steps closer to completing an outline for putting into practice a consent order as directed by the Caribbean Court of Justice.  This is in respect of the Maya land rights issue in southern Belize.  Minister Dolores Balderamos-Garcia provided an update on where government is with the development of an FPIC Protocol, as well as the drafting of a Maya Customary Land Tenure Policy. 

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs

“Today, I’m pleased to announce substantial advancements in the Government of Belize’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the implementation of the consent order of the Caribbean Court of Justice in 2015.  Over the past three years, Madame Speaker, we have devoted extensive resources and energy to finalizing the framework for the development and execution of affirmative measures in adherence to the consent order, as guided by the relevant court proceedings.  The first of these was the Free, Prior, Informed Consent Protocol which has served to successfully guide several projects and programs within many of the Maya communities.  The Government of Belize has meticulously crafted a comprehensive roadmap and this roadmap, presented to the CCJ, outlines crucial milestones that must be achieved to ensure our compliance with the court’s ruling, including the development of the FPIC Protocol, the drafting of the Maya Customary Land Tenure policy and the eventual legal drafting for the pending legislation.  It serves as our guiding document in the execution of the consent order.”