… But quashes Bmp’s appeal against Referendum injunction

As we reported earlier this week, for two days the Court of Appeal heard arguments by the Government as to why they should be granted leave to appeal the injunction made against the passage of the Referendum bill pending the outcome of a judicial review. This morning the panel of judges refused the application but urged that the matter should proceed as planned on July thirtieth in the Supreme Court because of the substance of the case. As viewers will recall, the court action was part of public outcry against the preventative detention bill proposed by the Barrow administration. The controversial piece of legislation was later withdrawn from the House but attorney Lisa Shoman says her clients still have beef with Belmopan.

Lisa Shoman, Citizens’ Group Attorney
“That is not the only issue. The other issue is the issue of the Mines and Minerals and the right to property, which is another issue. Janelle, is until that Act is amended and withdrawn before the House, it is very much a live issue and the principle is the same; there is a law which gives the people of Belize the right to a referendum and the people of Belize have a right to expect that that referendum will be held.”

Again, the case is set to be heard by the Chief Justice on July thirtieth. The Government is being represented in the matter by Senior Counsel Lois Young.