Maya Leaders Alliance confident of winning appeal
cristina coc
The Maya Leaders Alliance which won a landmark legal victory in the Supreme Court in June says it is not surprised that the Government of Belize is appealing a decision to have majority of the Maya communities in Stann Creek and Toledo Districts establish lawful indigenous rights over communal lands. The United Democratic Party during its national convention held last week announced that it is supporting the Government of Belize in appealing a recent judgment handed down by Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh. The ruling came after a decade of court action between the MLA and GOB. News Five spoke by phone with Cristina Coc of the Maya Leaders Alliance who told us that they are confident they will also win the appeal.
Cristina Coc, Spokesperson, Maya Leaders Alliance
“It comes as no surprise to us. It’s nothing new. We’ve always known the government’s position in regards to a lack of recognition for Maya people’s rights to land that they currently use and occupy. We recognize and I’m sure the whole country recognizes that the United Democratic Party is the present administration and so we wouldn’t expect any position different from that which the prime minister has stated publicly time and time again. There is obviously no political will to recognize and respect the judgment of the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeal is something that we anticipated and something that we’re prepared for. So, you know, we continue to trust and believe in our people and in their determination to stand firm on the ground that these are our rights that we’re protecting. It’s our right to life, our right to equality. It’s our right to justice and we will continue to defend our human rights as indigenous people and we hope that the rest of the country can join us in this effort. And we are very grateful, very grateful to our creator and to our people for standing united and not being deterred by the political pressures.”
Isani Cayetano
“Going back a bit you spoke about preparedness for the appeals process. Can you speak to us a bit about the confidence going into this particular appeal?”
Cristina Coc
“Well we are very happy to know that the Court of Appeals is not a place where you present new evidence or where you have the whole case tried again. The Court of Appeal is looking to prove where the judge might have made an error. I think that the government will have to try hard to prove that we recognize the intelligence and the knowledge and the wisdom of the Chief Justice and we think that he handed down a very just case.”
Coc also says that she is seeking countrywide support for the CJ’s decision.
there should be no ethnic group superior than another in Belize…The GOB should control the land and not a particular group. That means that the Mestizos should control the North??? the Mennonites there area??? the Creole the Belize District??? what happen to the Garifuna??? they also live in th south???
analyzer you shoulda go make the doctor they analize your head.
To REAL ANALYZER: I totally believe in this man. Exactly, Do the Maya think they own Belize? They are not trying to be in unity!!!! Go through the process, and get your land! Nobody gets anything for free. Name one thing thats for free…etc Mennonites worked for what they have. I know theyre rich, but they worked for it. The Mayans should have the same priveleges, and work for there land and money and assets. Listen, this is a multi-cultural country, and everybody has a chance.
Well my support goes out to the Maya at least the had the bravado to fight for what they think is their right We should learn from their actions and instead of such negative criticism learn form them and start taking action for what we as Belizean believe to be our right and stop being zombis of the governments will.
Like real analyzer said no ethnic group is above the other however the Maya have taken a stand what are the rest doing?
If all the rest would be doing the same Belize would not be Belize any more, “INTERESTING”!! What do you think would happen if the Garifuna would do the same as the Maya??? What would happen if everybody wanted everything for free like the Maya!!??? So you say they have a right? yes, they do, They have a right that they are equal and shall be treated equally by all. None has the privilege of getting land free. And Im not criticizing them, they are people like me and you, just that they are in Belize just like anybody else,.
Hey my support goes out fr d maya’s as well.PM leave the mayas alone and there land.the people have to think fr wat is rite.fight fr your right.
“FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT” Is there a particular right that the Maya’s have that other people dont have? Whats going on. Are these people so ******* special or what??
my support goes out for these people. they deserve it. They are not criminal people or disease spreader. They know about conservation of the lands that nature has provided. SO kudos to them. They are here before the existence of Belize. I think that is the distinction about them. SO lois young and dean barrow watch your back. leave these people alone. they deserve what they deserve
The Mayas were in Belize before anyone else!!! Indigenous Lands should be respected. The problem with ignorant people is that they know nothing about the History of Belize….We are not saying the Mayas are better than any other Ethnic group. What we ARE saying is that they have the right to traditional lands.
Kudos to the mayas. I believe they deserve what they deserve. They were here since the inception of Belize. Loise ANd Barrow leave these people alone. I believe they are alot better in their nature of communal land managing themselves. That is the distinction of themselves. not criminal or exploiting nature or disease spreader.
The G.O.B. should just leave the Maya people alone and try n get back control of the crime in Belize.Next the Maya people should be getting a % from the money the G.O.B.make from the tourism,That visit the Maya Ruins.They are the only people who have something to show that their ancestor have been living for so long,what does the rest of culture have to say we been here?all the maya people now living in Belize , are Belizean.The Garifuna people have land in P.G.where they are the only one than can used,G,O.B. should take the money for the appeal an used it to take care of the crime.soon the people from Guat. who live in the Maya area will join forces with the maya and no one will be able to touch them.
I am proud to be a mayan, and YES we are specail and if you think YOU are not then you put a name to yourself. Think Possitive people.
Interesting top. I am mayan myself and oppose miss coc’s fight. I think everyone should be able to go thru the same procedure of obtaining land title. Nothing comes free, she’s got it made already and she should leave hard working people alone who’ve already have land leases and allow them to set examples to others that thru hard work you achieve in life. She has brainwashed most mayans to think that her idea is right. Needless to say there other mayan groups that have been rallying mayans against her. Nothing is free in this world, we should all work hard together and build belize.
@ Lyell FYI we are ******* special and the only difference between us and the rest is that while the rest sit and complain we stand up and fight. Would you all prefer the foreigners to own these lands? You all need to look at the bigger picture here.
@ Rod….you’re funny. Analyzer made a valuable remark tho.
Lyell, you know why the Menonites have what they have? Because of working together! Helping each other, helping out the weak to stand strong. The rest of us (Belizeans) work against each other. If you have and I dont, then I must try get from you by force. We should watch and learn from these people. Look at how united the Maya stand on their beliefs. When will the Creoles, Garifuna and other ethnic groups stand for what they believe in?
BIG UP TO THE MAYANS……..They were there BEFORE THE WHITE MAN CAME!!!
LYELL! u better read your history book and tell us how your grandparents,parents came to belize! You don’t know what you want, i think u want the foreigners take over belize! cas the government will have the privilige to do what it wants with the land. NOt all people can get or buy land like u! they don’t have enuff money cas evrybody does almost the same thing, farming and crafts!
why do you think the majority of the belize defence force are mayas? They defend your country! while you are having fun! MAybe the mayas should form their force if others are continuing to hate and discriminate them!!
LYELL and real analyzer! u should be thinking about getting the thieves , gunman, scumbags,retards off the streets, SO WE CAN HAVE A BETTER BELIZE! U KNOW WHAT I MEAN!
and if u don’t have any ideas then continue working hard so u can pay more taxes so that the goverment can pay lois instead of using the money for Better belize. hahahahahahahahahahahhahahahah! Time will be time! Watch!
Oh Karol. Kids these days. Every body needs to go through a process to get land. If they are white red black yellow, whatever. Just get up and say this land is mine and mine only, that doesnt work!! U know what happens in Canada? The Indians there did the same thing the Mayans are doing here now. Guess whatt? Those Indians are useless. They get free land!!! they don’t work crap! They sit on their behinds and drink, year in year out. I did not criticize and it seems u cant take facts. Oh yeah, my parents house got broken into by a maya person. These people are intelligent, they have a rich history, so on. Its all good, like I said: were ALL in Belize, not JUST the mayas
well done mayas
Any ethnic group that chooses to remain happy with what the government decides, deh pan deh own. The Mayas have decided to stand by their beliefs….kudos for that.
If we all decided like the Mayas to stand up against stupid policies by corrupt politicians, we would have a much better Belize.
Lyell! u did not criticize but u just did to the indians in the canada! hahah, thats so funny! BIll lindo is fighting for his acres and acres of land! that just one person and his family, and thats because its political, too.
so u want the government to do the same to the mayas too! Do u know how much communities are in the toledo district? well, if one family can get much less a community!
doesn’t matter if u are rich or poor whatever colour just fight for yours too! because a day will come when belize is going to be populated! don’t compare the INDIANS in canada! we are MAYAS in belize. capiche?get the facts! get your acts together!
I really support the Mayas. Well done Mayas. The rest could just just hate. Everybody could do what the Mayas are Doing. Unity Is Power.
The Ancient Mayas were mathematicians, astronomers, etc
Well Done Mayas. U work hard for it.
I really support the Mayas. Well done Mayas. The rest could just just hate. Everybody could do what the Mayas are Doing. Unity Is Power.
The Ancient Mayas were mathematicians, astronomers, etc
Well Done Mayas. U work hard for it. Thanks
The Mayas of Belize are not the original Mayas of this land , yes there are few but the majority are alien that cross -breathe. The chief justice that rule in the favor of the Mayas need to be very careful of what he/she is doing .Belize has many ethnic group, why are the Mayas the only making this an issue? and why now?
SooooOOO what !!!!!!!!!!! dont the Creole ,Garifuna,Spanish and the others have the same rights.
If they allow this to happen, then we are sending the wrong message.We are telling its ok to take the government to court . What kind of country this will be with lots of controversy among our self. aren,t we that loving country we said we are ? Am dissapointed in supreme court .
boots! well get disappointed. i am happy for the mayas!! kudos to the mayas! u know what i am disappointed about? i am disappoited about the CRIME that is happening in belize!we we should be taking about that, insteadd of people that are trying to live their life in harmony with their family
They were HERE BEFORE THE WHITE MAN!!!!!!