Belizeans for Justice ask Courts for Promised 13th Senator
yolanda schakron
There are currently twelve members appointed to the Senate. But there was a promise of a thirteenth senator to represent non-governmental organizations. NGO’s had already nominated Greg Choc as their candidate, however, the prime minister has said that he will not proceed with the thirteenth senator. Belizeans for Justice believes that senator thirteen can balance the political divide and bring forward positive changes. So the organization has filed a lawsuit with the hopes that it will force the appointment to bring forth senator number thirteen. Belizeans for Justice’s President, Yolanda Schakron explained.
Yolanda Schakron, President, Belizeans For Justice
“We have decided we want the courts to make a declaration regarding the 13th senator. This has been brought into law by the Prime Minister, by the house, by the senate. It’s been approved by the governor general. But the Prime Minister’s signature is left to be put on this law so we can go ahead to appoint a 13th senator from the NGOs.”
Jose Sanchez
“We know your group normally deals with crime related issues. Why is this issue so important to your group itself?”
Yolanda Schakron
“Because Belizean for Justice is not just about crime issue because there are injustices in everything and we believe that if the NGOs have a representation in the senate, we will have a true democracy—there will be a representation of the people and the people’s voices will be heard and it is not only what the present government or any government, they control the house, but if we have a playing field we won’t have just every law passed into effect. It will just automatically be approved in the senate. And this will be better for Belizeans, for us the people and I think out voices can be heard and it’s true democracy.”
Oscar Rosado, Member, Belizeans For Justice
oscar rosado
“I just want to say I agree with the president, Mrs. Schakron and this is for all NGOs not only Belizeans for Justice. Having representation in there will give us a step. All NGOs with the issues that the Belizean people are facing will have a step in there and it is a step forward for the Belizean people. The voices of the Belizean people will be heard.”
The case is scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court before Acting Chief Justice Samuel Awich on February eleventh.
What is Mr. Barrow so afraid of the number 13 or having deadlocks in the senate if this is something that will benefit the country by passing better legislations and creating more transparencies then by all means he should give it his blessings to at least show that he is serious regarding transparency in government.
You have representation, you elected these people. Force the elected officials to do their jobs or vote them out of office.
THE SENATE SHOULD BE ………….ELECTED!!!!
The number 13 is the a sacred number for the Mayas, representing the 13 gods. Is it coincident that the 13th Senator that Dean Barrow refuse to seat is also Maya.
lol lol good luck Mr Sylvester. I aint no lawyer but this seems to be an important case. But wouldn’t Mr Said Musa or Mr Edwin Flowers be doing the case if there really is some legal basis for Belizeans for Justice’s argument. Mr Said Musa and Mr Flowers are the senior lawyer at Musa & Balderamos where Sylvester works. So I think that Mr Musa and Flowers know that there is no case. Maybe I wrong to judge Sylvester like ddat
Wasn’t that Oscar on TV the other day backing out as the PUP standard bearer for Port Loyola because of threats?
Earl Grey: Why should the Senate be elected? What is the reason for this?
y do we need another senator that lady put her face where it no belong