There is a major development in respect of the ruling on Section Fifty Three. Government and the religious community, including the Belize Council of Churches, have arrived at a mutual agreement in respect of the ruling by the Supreme Court. That controversial decision handed down by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin decriminalizes sodomy and other unnatural […]
In the days that followed the Supreme Court decision, the National Evangelical Association of Belize, NEAB, and the Alliance for Defense of the Natural Family were extremely critical of the landmark ruling. Despite their staunch position against the amended law, both religious organizations were never party to the initial claim. The move by the government […]
Firebrand religious and social activist Patrick Menzies has been leading the charge in demanding that government appeals Section Fifty-three. As the head of the Alliance for the Defense of the Natural Family, he has been a part of the ongoing dialogue with government. Despite not being a hundred percent satisfied with the outcome of today’s […]
The decision of the Supreme Court on Section Fifty-three was perfected on August twenty-sixth, effectively commencing a twenty-one day period during which government, as well as the churches, can challenge the ruling. The appeal, aside from the call of the churches, was equally prompted by the fact that the interpretation of sex came after the […]
The Prime Minister has been advocating for a joint select committee to investigate the special audit on immigration irregularities. That position is changing very quickly because the motion for a senate investigation is picking up steam. The Chamber of Commerce has already voted for a senate select investigation so have the unions and the P.U.P. […]
The composition of the parliamentary committee to investigate the Immigration Department remains a contentious matter. The Prime Minister went on record earlier today to state that personally he has no problem with a Joint Select or for that matter, a Senate Select Committee. What he refuses to cede is government’s majority on the task force, […]
Will President Lee Mark Chang allow the Senate to reintroduce a motion to vote for a Senate Select Committee? It’s a question that can only be answered at the next session of upper parliament. While PM Barrow refused to speculate on that end, he says that he hopes that the president would grant the opportunity […]
At the last senate meeting, the Belize Chamber of Commerce as well as the unions and the P.U.P. voted for a Senate investigation. But that motion was defeated and the government pushed for a bicameral investigation that would give G.O.B. majority members on the committee. Mayor Darrell Bradley believes that the process must be transparent […]
Leader of the Opposition John Briceño and Senator Eamon Courtenay met with Reverend Roosevelt Papouloute and Bishop Phillip Wright this morning, ahead of the churches’ meeting with the Prime Minister. The meeting was to discuss the issue of a Senate Select Committee and to garner support from the religious community. Briceño and Courtenay are both […]
Senator Eamon Courtenay explained that for a defeated motion to be re-introduced in the Senate they would have to approach the president and ask for a suspension of the rules. Once successful, the proposal can be brought forward a second time and vote would be taken. They intend to do so at a Special Sitting […]
Earlier we heard from Mayor Darrell Bradley supporting the senate select investigation. Today, he was asked about the immigration irregularities that were exposed in the audit, for which an investigation is required. The audit named ministers, past and present, who irregularly intervened in the issuing of visas, nationality certificates and passports to persons who did […]
Bradley took a strong position in respect of corruption. The mayor believes that elected official have to stand against corruption. Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor “I was very, very clear that I think that if there is any march supporting anti-corruption in a very non-political way that is something I think every elected official […]
After his comments on the audit report earlier this week in support of a senate select investigation, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley was criticized over the airwaves of his own party. Some U.D.P. operatives were spinning the notion that Bradley should not have taken a public position that is not in line with the government’s […]
But will Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley be sanctioned by his party for his candid position on calling for a Senate Select Commission? The outspoken head of municipal government has openly gone against a Joint Select Committee to investigate the Immigration Department. Today, PM Barrow threw the mayor under the bus, saying it was tactless […]
During his interview on Thursday evening following the nationwide meetings of the ten branches of the Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU), National President Luke Palacio brought up a phrase that brings chills to the hearts of government and education officials – “industrial action.” Usually, that means anything from sick-outs to a strike and shutdown of […]
The “Oliver,” the Port of Belize Limited’s first-ever pilot launch boat, was christened this afternoon at its compound in Belize City. C.E.O. of the Port, Arturo Vasquez, shares details of how the nation’s leading port will make use of the boat. Arturo Vasquez, C.E.O., Port of Belize Limited “If I recall there is two […]
There were two shootings over the past twenty-four hours. The first took place sometime around six o’clock on Thursday evening on south side Belize City. Thirty-seven year old Jason Longsworth was at a house on McKay Boulevard talking with his common-law-wife at their front door when they were approached by two men on separate bicycles. […]
Saturday, September tenth, is celebrated as World Suicide Prevention Day. The World Health Organization has been building awareness about this issue since 2003, encouraging persons to reach out to people who are struggling with mental health issues. In Belize, today was the first time that the Ministry of Health has joined in the global actions […]
The global theme for the prevention of suicide is “Connect, Communicate, Care.” Depression is a main factor in instances where people take their own lives. Mayor Darrell Bradley is advocating for support for vulnerable persons in society. Darrell Bradley, Belize City Mayor “I think a lot of mental illness and suicide, a lot of […]
The second night of mas camps took place on Thursday on south side Belize City. Five bands were judged for the creativity of their costumes as well as for the relevance to their themes. The different locations were bursting with colors, music and the spirit of the bacchanal as revelers previewed what is to come […]
There are major developments to report in tonight’s newscast. But first, the Belize Chamber of Commerce met in an emergency session this afternoon and reversed course on a bicameral investigation into the special audit on immigration. Joining the meeting was the Belize Business Bureau, the other arm of the private sector. The session was called […]
There was another emergency meeting held this afternoon. The ten branches of the Belize National Teacher’s Union met to debate and take decisions on the scheduled delay of Government’s salary adjustment for teachers and public officers. Other national issues, such as the call for a Senate inquiry into the Immigration scandal, were also on the […]
But the Ministry of Education is at odds with the B.N.T.U. over the convening of today’s meeting without following protocol. The Ministry issued a release prior to the meeting, which complains about the lack of sufficient notice following the 1997 protocol, which it says does not contribute to enhancing industrial relations between the B.N.T.U., the […]
President Luke Palacio was asked whether the Ministry’s suggestions affected turnout to the meeting. He said he could not say for sure, but he believed that teachers were ready and willing to make the necessary “sacrifice.” Luke Palacio, National President, Belize National Teachers’ Union “I cannot say with any degree of certainty that it […]
The Auditor General’s special report into the issuance of passports, visas and Belizean nationality names quite a number of elected officials, including Prime Minister Barrow himself. He is cited in the seven hundred page document for recommending citizenship for his brother-in-law who lives in Sweden. The audit also names Speaker of the House Michael Peyrefitte […]
