Dual Citizenship consultations continue in Orange Walk

Still on the issue of dual nationality the consultations on the seventh amendment to the Constitution continue nationwide. And at the most recent forum in Orange Walk Town last night there was overwhelming objection to the proposed change to the Constitution. A former U.D.P. government Minister, Ruben Campos, joined a current P.U.P. Town Councillor in opposing the proposal.

Joshua Carballo, Orange Walk Town Councillor
“Presently, the law does allow for born Belizeans—be it that he went to the US, be it that he went anywhere else—to come and serve in our parliament. So why change the law? All the law does and it exquisitely pushes that you must renounce your other nationality. A consultation should also go to question the direct essence of the amendment and be it the case of the people of Belize have completely and utterly shown in the past consultations, reject these points, let us think about putting the on the backbench.”

Ruben Campos, Former Minister of Mobilization
“I believe that persons with dual nationalities, there is a place for them in elections, as I mentioned village councillor, not as—but as a born Belizean here on Slaughterhouse Street in Orange Walk, I firmly believe that when we look at the higher offices of elected persons throughout the world basically, in the democratic world, the United States, you must be a born American to be the president of the United States. I just feel, as an Orange Walkeno, as a Belizean, if you want to go to the highest office in the House of Parliament, that you can have dual nationalities in Belize, but to run for parliament in Belize, I believe that that post should only be suited for persons born in Belize in this land.”

The consultations lasted for about three hours.