Belizeans for Justice and COLA fight for 13th Senator
Said Musa
The United Democratic Party in its 2008 manifesto promised a senate that would be comprised of thirteen members, one more seat than the current that would include a representative from the N.G.O. community. It was a novel idea and the reform would have shifted the balance of power from government’s control and put it in the hands of the Senate. Upon taking office, government proceeded to enact several pieces of legislature that also formed part of the U.D.P.’s campaign promises. However, it has not put into force Section seven of the Sixth Amendment which should have come into effect a year ago requiring the appointment of Greg Ch’oc as the thirteenth senator. In speaking with the media in August 2010 P.M. Barrow made it clear that that section of the amendment would not come into force. Subsequently, four non-governmental organizations: Belizeans for Justice, APAMO, Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action and SATIIM filed a suit against the Prime Minister. Today, the case opened before Acting Chief Justice Samuel Awich and attorneys Said Musa and Dickie Bradley made submissions on behalf of Belizeans for Justice and COLA respectively saying that the government is being heavy handed.
Said Musa, Attorney for Belizeans For Justice
“The Prime Minister has refused to bring it into effect and in an interview he gave, I think in August of last year, to Channel 7 I believe it was, yes, he actually used the language that he will never bring that into effect. Maybe he didn’t use the word never but he used words like ‘it ain’t going to happen’ which is in fact stronger than never. I mean, like for eternity it will not happen. It ain’t going to happen. That is what this case is about. We are saying that for the Prime Minister to take that position now in defiance of what the law clearly calls for, what his majority party passed in the parliament is an abuse of power. It’s unlawful. It is what is called ultra vires, exceeding the powers that are given to him. In fact [it] is encroaching on the powers of the National Assembly, the Executive becoming now the Legislature as well.”
As it stands, the law requires 13 senators and, as an selected senator, Ch’oc wants Barrow to comply with the law. Point granted. However, the law also states that all minerals, exotic woods etc.etc. under and above the ground belongs to the govt. but, Ch’oc does not want to comply with this other section of the law. He is using the court to force the govt. to comply with both his wishes. Can there be a clearer example of hiprocresy? What is good for the goose must be also good for the gander.
Said Musa had his turn as leader and did total BS.. he left the country in nothing but debt. I’d be a fool if i voted for his @$$! He just want to come back in power and thief more money from the poor people. Hell! can’t stand this RAT!
Those two are a matched pair. Skinky and twisted alike. How many ‘innocent” criminals did you release this week, tricky dicky?
Law in Belize? Ha! What a joke!
All those NGOs are fighting bec they just want to collect money and have a greed for power. All are politically motivated by the PUP so i can see why Dean Barrow don’t want to enact this bc all the NGOs fighting for this next seat has already been corrupted by those blood sucking PUP. That why they pushing for this, bc if it is enacted it would shift the power of the senate into the hands of the PUP.
Choc if want to b in the house y don’t u run on d VIP party ,they answer n get money from the same people u get u orders…….u probably know u can’t win so u wa come tru d back like Joe Grind…..
do it right where have you been living for past three years you must be living in dreamland since this udp gov. has been in power the country has gone to hell i hope you are not the next murder victim or the next one to get robbed this the worse gov. and pm in the history of belize get it history.
I reserve my comment on anything that involves these two thieving corrupted scum of the earth b@$&@%ds. All of them are cut from the same cloth as the tyrant dean barrow and his sub-human !@#$%ng political party and poor excuse for ministers!!!
Pair of thieves!
SENATORS SHOULD BE ELECTED………….then we would not have this!!!…..
and IT WOULD MAKE THEM WORK HARDER.