Hang ‘em high; death penalty making a comeback
Dean Barrow
The House of Representatives met in Belmopan; today’s sitting was one of the shortest concluding before one o’clock. With the country’s murder toll at forty nine within five months of the year, a series of controversial measures and constitutional amendments were introduced that are sure to bring debate not only from across the floor, but from local and foreign entities. The amendment to the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Bill intends to zone in on gang related activities and increase penalties for related crimes. But it’s the amendments to the Belize Constitution that may bring both praise and fury from the public, human rights organizations and the church. Prime Minister Dean Barrow intends to bring back the death penalty with the Belize Constitution (Eight Amendment) Bill 2011. Clause four of the amendment refers to inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment. The proposed constitutional change will allow for the death sentence to be executed.
Dean Barrow
“We are going to put something in the constitution, if we can secure the votes, to obviate that possibility, to make sure you can’t challenge the death penalty. If a Court of Law finds that you are guilty of murder and says that you are ought to hang; that you are ought to be put to death, then we want to know that you can’t challenge that on the basis that there is some constitutional right that provides you from being executed. I am sure that that measure is going to be extremely popular with the public. It might get us into some difficulty internationally because there are all these liberal western European democracies that insist that the death penalty is in fact inhuman or degrading punishment. Well, they don’t live in small society that we live in, they are not experiencing the concentrated fury of this assault on our lives, on our dignity, on our citizen security and so we will do what we believe we have to do for the protection of citizens in our society.”
Barrow says that the amendment will also free the courts of cases that are delayed on death penalty appeals.
IT’S ABOUT TIME THE PRIME MINISTER WAKES UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great choice, we needed to see you fellows grow a a pair & I hope the rest of the House goes with the program. Now can we also make this retroactive to include pending murder trials?.
bout time, kill n b kill
I have a little business and I asked 100 customers” should we hang murderers?”
99 said YES and 1 said “what da murderer?”
Ok We have tried the Human Rights people’s way, now let’s give Victim’s Rights people a turn and watch the murder rate drop.
Now we have to make sure the killers get convicted. If anyone is a witness to a nurder, take their attested statement and then they can’t be intimidated or disappear.
WAY TO GO DEAN, HANG THEM HIGH AND IN CENTRAL PARK ON ALBERT STREET WHERE EVERYONE CAN SEE
IT IS FORTY YEARS TOO LATE,BUT IT IS WELCOMED.DEATH PENALTY SHOULD BE MADE AN AUTOMATIC SENTENCE WHERE GUILT HAS BEEN PROVED BEYOND A DOUBT.TOO MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE HAVE DIED AND THE CRIMINALS ARE RAOMING THE STREETS COMMITING MORE.IT SEEMS THAT THEY TAkE PRIDE IN THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THEY KILL AND BRAG ABOUT IT.I SAY,HANG THEM HIGH::::::
it’s about time for this to have started.hang them shortly after they are convicted,don’t give them the oppertunity to hurt another person because they will even in prison.hang them and make a example of them to others.
This sounds very unconstituional to me Mr Barrow. It also sounds like you are trying to put a bandaide on a open wound. As a Belizean and former policeman living in the US I see no point in your solution. AS small as Belize City is…I cannot understand how someone can ride a bicycle and shoot 3 people and no one saw or hear anything including the Law Enforcement agencies. I know society has changed since the 70s and 80s but it seems the government remains the same backward corrupted entity . I think that’s where we have to start combat the murder rate in our Land of the Free County.
Hmmm. I don’t think most death penalty appeals are based on the Constitutionality of the death penalty, but instead are often based on what the defendant alleges the prosecutors or the police did or failed to do — hiding evidence, not interviewing a key witness, etc. — or something his or her own attorney failed to do – ineffective assistance of counsel, for instance.
Also, just because you put something into the Constitution that says it can’t be challenged, still doesn’t mean it can’t be challenged as being unconstitutional, that is, not in accordance with all or part of the rest of the Constitution.
Kudos to PM Dean Barrow, You’ve finally heard our cries.Let’s hope that the PM will gets the support that he needs to make the necessary changes to this law.
Yes, put these guys on notice that others value their lives just like they do, and realize that its no joking matter for taking the life of another numan being over simple disgreements. Indirectly, this is sending a message to parents to say, if you don’t want to grieve the lost of their child’s execution by the state, then take responsibility in doing their best to counsel them properly about the value of human life.
Finally!!!!!!!!!…….i guess the PM is finally hearing the cries of the people….hang em high……drastic times calls for drastic measures. To hell with the human rights organizations…people are fed up….its been a long time coming….lets see it thru…
Go for Mr Barrow. People keep saying we need fi pop some neck. But being a Belizean I done know some a deh same people wa complain and say dis man gaan implenemt hanging. I done know you can’t please my people but Hang em High; Hang em Hand or Feet
Now let’s see who becomes the first, don’t be bia’s due to popularity. Because a Murderer is a Murderer. Don’t let Family members and Friends be exempt from this penalty. Belize is a small place, so everybody knows everybody.
FINALLY!!!!!.. this shoudl have happened a long time.. it was not a problm in the olden days to hang them.. so bring it back.. our children needs security or they will all grow up as criminals
Its about time that the Death Penalty be reinstated and brought to fruition. It isd ridiculous that such small country ha that many murders. Bravo!!!
it is about time,you kill you get killed….
it only way those animals will get the message.
WHY are we so worried about Europeans or what they have to say? WE HAVE BEEN RULED LONG ENOUGH BY EUROPEANS IN THE PAST….They raped our country out of its natural gold “timber”.
This is Belize and laws enacted in Belize will affect Belizeans, not Europeans so why should the Europeans have a say in how we run our country OR ARE WE ALL OF A SUDDEN EUROPEAN SLAVES AGAIN?
Mr. Dean is now coming up! Keep your ground Prime Minister Dean, we are supportive of the idea! Hang ’em high!
If this ever goes through it will be the best piece of legislature ever passed in the house, let them suffer just like how they make these poor souls and their families suffer the only problem however is that the government will need to have qualified prosecutors that can protect the integrity of these cases and ultimately win them. Remember, My Legacy B 4 My People.
i applaud the minister for this… i do agree the death penalty should be in ……………. my dad was brutally murdered four years ago and my uncle about a year ago they have the murderer sitting in jail eating and living good with nothing to worry about …………….. inocent people getting murdered out here in belize and surrounding districts and young inocent children at the same time …………….. i applaud the minister for that and hope this help our fellow belizean and children ………………. thanks
WE WANT THE DEATH PENALTY! HANG EM HIGH! To hell with the liberals,the western countries who have a failed and systems that the criminals laugh at. We in Belize are dying for a sense of security and order. Criminals have no place in our society. NONE! What do you do with a cockroach in your kitchen? Or a doctor fly trying to swell you up? Law abiding citizens do not need to live like prisoners in their own homes. We don’t put a stop to it now our grand children will suffer. And whose fault will it be? OURs!
YES. ALL WHO BEEN CALLING FOR THIS LETS SEE IF YOU WILL BACK UP THE PM NOW. IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME.
Finally justice will prevail for all the families that had to suffer under the current laws that prevented hard core murders to go and just sit behind bar, while the tax dollars of hard working citizens fed them and made them fat. Finally the fat fowls will have their day of judgment. Praise God and hallelujah to dat! Now as they brag about how many people they’ve killed, they will also have to think about meeting satan much earlier than they anticipated as they depart to hell. Great thinking Mr. PM, if we don’t get rid of the GARBAGE the whole society will become stink and diseased.
God surely answers prayer of his people!
What happens to the victim’s rights to live life until God calls them home. Some people are dying because someone just want something that they have so they kill the person to get the thing. Then there are those who kill just because they had an argument or over some silly insignificant thing that happened years ago. I say tell anyone outside of the country that oppose the death penalty for senseless murders to come and live in Belize.
It’s about time the goverment step up. i hope this bill get pass . wish i could be the one pulling the lever to hang them no sympathy for the wicked. I aslo hope these belizean parent nuh strat cry that there pickney nuh deserve fi hang they need to think about the other parent who loss wah pickney because their bad one . so bring back hanging am all for it. Good move PM about time you start doing something vote yes House and to hell with the other country weh think it’s inhumain America put people to death all the time and so does Asian countries . Go deh belize hang dem.
so wasn’t this what all belizeans were asking for? Death Penalty? Now everyone has nothing to say. I congratulate the gov for looking into this
“HORRAY’ to the prime minister for starting to listen to the innocent citizens, this is wonderful news for every law abiding citizen. As for other countries I like what the PM said, they are not the ones being killed or are in fear for their lives. This is especially good for the tourist business and belizeans who are longing to return to their homeland to retire and live out the rest of their lives in peace. I am telling you there are lots of belizeans who are welcoming this news and want to be sure that it carries out to the full extent of the law, as long as someone is found guilty of murder.
kudos PM and godspeed!
Its Unfortunate but drastic times call for Drastic measures. Lets hope this will stem the tide of the violence in Belize.
You people are quick to accept what the pm says and that part of the law have not been implemented to say yes its there….This broadcast can be political,u should all wait until its written in black and white that the law will be in succession, this is basically a hoast coming from the pm side to ease the tension of the people who are fed up and give him more favors…we should all wait and see bcas they are ppl higher than the pm,who also have an input in bze…
The best decision made for the people of belize,long overdue,we applaud our leader for making this bold stand,and showing the nation he has also had enough of standing by,while these murderous criminal’s operated with impunity throughout our country.Now peter will pay for paul,for all those innocent victims who will never get any justice,this will be a bitter sweet victory.Yes we will see rough days ahead,without those european union grant’s,but if the government can eradicate those corrupted elected officials,that’s merely there to line their pockets,then we should do just fine.On the other hand,i do not agree with detention of someone for more than 48 or 72 hours,before charging them with a crime,unless! the prosecution can show that person,will become an imminent threat,or danger to public safety,let’s not throw out the baby with the bath water.
Mr. Barrow’s proposition for the death penalty should be adopted by other countries. Most people in the western world now are tired of this human rights business who never think of the victim and their families rights.
I hope this applies to politicians and their relatives also. When they commit murder I want to see them hung also, not only those who don’t have any ‘strings’ to pull.
The sentence can be “death by being place on a fire ant hill” and it still wont make much of a difference if no one is convicted, which I think sums up about 95% of the cases. So while I am happy that the government is finally getting off its haunches, there is still a distance to go before this new law can be enacted.
How did i know that Earl Grey would be the first one in here!!!!!
i think if a at elast five are hang before election it’s gonna bust barrow for a next five yrs, since previous administrators never intended to do it also. so at least this one s good barrow, it’s about time we start hanging this scums from our society that have out nation looking bad and our people living in fear.
Well said Truth.
who does thjis is real man
I will believe it when I see it, remember we passed a law requiring scales at butane gas depots.where has that gotten us. so let us be cautious with our praises. I am for the death penalty but I want to see it carried out first for me to applaud quietly.
What i8s the use if the cases never reach this far? This can only be effective if a sentence is passed. Most of these cases do not reach that far as people are threatened and witnesses fail to testify. Witness protection must be in place.
With only a 7% conviction rate for murder, don’t expect to see anyone hang, and don’t expect to see a decrease in homicides for the same reason. These guys kill so easily because they know there is a 93% chance they will get away with murder. This is just talk to pacify a highly emotional public. Bonus points for Barrow if the PUP bites and opposes just for sake of opposing everything the UDP proposes.
you took the words right out of my mouth FREE PRESS, but let me remind you overly excited people , what happens when the bad guy is a good friend of the police, minister etc. you all werent thinking about that. GET OFF!!!!!!!!
KUDOS TO PRIME MINISTER, PROUD OF YOU PM HANG THEM BWAY HIGH WISH YOU COULD HANG THE INSTIGATORS BEHIND ALL THESE CRIMES, BECAUSE THERE IS FOR SURE PERSON ORGANIZING THESE CRIMES.
LET US MAKE CHNAGES THAT WILL SECURE CONVICTIONS BEFORE WE TRIGGER INTERNATIONAL DEBATE OF THE FORM OF PUNISHMENT! I AM SURE LOTS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE WILL DIE NOW!
WE ARE ON A SHIP THAT IS GOING DOWN LETS JUST NOT START ARRANGING THE CHAIRS!!!!!THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN WINDOW DRESSING. HE IS APPEALING TO THE IGNORANCE OF THE MASSES INSTEAD OF EDUCATING THEM!
THERE ARE ENOUGH LAWS ON THE BOOKS LET’S START GETTING THE CORRECT EVIDENCE TO COURT TO SECURE A CONVICTION FIRST!
To all those negative people out there that have a lot to say…….when death comes knocking at your door lets see if u will say the same thing….and to Elston Grant stay in the states where you are cause you seem to be ignorant to what is happening in Belize…go walk in the streets and see if a man on a bicycle cant gun you down……..the way i see it all the gun hungry gang bangers will stay alive and all innocent people will die out…………………
Hang the Killers
You will be re-elected by most Belizeans.
You got my vote if you pass this law
We want to be free and feel safe in our beloved Belize City and the rest of Belize.
SO…ANY SUGGESTIONS HOW THIS CAN BE CARRIED OUT? ELECTRICITY,NEEDLE,DROWNING,SHOOTING,CROCOSBAG OVER THE HEAD, I WANNA HEAR SOME REAL SUGGESTIONS PEOPLE LETS SHOW THESE KILLERS WE CAN PLAY THEIR COLD BLOODED GAME…..
I didn’t think I would ever support this government in any of their shenanigans; THIS ONE amendment caught me by surprise. And yes PM you have my full support and every other hard working Belizean should. I know passing this bill is not gonna be a walk in the park and its not the healthiest either but I think its going to ease this mindless killing happening everyday.
I want to walk through the streets of my beautiful Belize like I once did, you know, that time when people were people.
Neva seen so many comments on a topic as this. Go Dean Barrow Go! As for increased punishment regarding gang related crimes, Mr. Barrow we need to seize the properties and possessions of these thugs. Tek dem house and tek dem money! And charge the accomplices with abetment! Dem wife know what be happening in she own house. Maybe if the gals of the gang members thinks they get a charge as well they won’t be so eager to stash the thugs, drugs, moneys, and guns of these gangs! Tek dem house and sell it at auction. Tek dem vehicle, tek dem money(drug money), tek dem TV, radio, cell phone, EVERYTHING used in a crime, obtained from a crime, etc. Make them pay for their crimes against Belize and the people of Belize. Belize too good to have all this bad happening. Hang em high Mr. Barrow, hand em high!