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In a letter written by the Roman Catholic Church to Prime Minister Barrow earlier this week, bishops Dorick Wright and Christopher Glancy highlighted the urgent need for appeal. They alluded to other countries where decriminalization of certain aspects of the sodomy law was successfully challenged. The church maintains that legalization gave sudden rise to gay […]
The Government of Belize has announced that it will not appeal the landmark decision of the Supreme Court in respect of Section Fifty-three of the Criminal Code. That statement comes one week after Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin ruled in favor of gay rights activist Caleb Orozco who successfully challenged the constitutionality of that piece of […]
According to Prime Minister Barrow, government’s decision was equally the result of a lively discussion among senior members of Cabinet who advise on policy. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “The position we have taken was come to after a very spirited debate was had among members of Cabinet. My Cabinet is no different from the […]
As we’ve mentioned, Bishops Dorick Wright and Christopher Glancy, on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church, wrote to Prime Minister Barrow urging government to appeal the decision of the Supreme Court. Likewise, the National Evangelical Association of Belize wrote to the PM requesting an appeal. Neither was fruitful in convincing government to elevate the matter […]
Does the reading down of Section Fifty-three open the figurative door to gay marriage? It’s a widely held belief among many, including the Roman Catholic Church. In fact, its premise for seeking an appeal of the controversial Supreme Court decision is hinged on that very notion. Government, on the other hand, does not believe that […]
Following the prime minister’s press conference, we got a reaction from the National Evangelical Association of Belize on government’s position on Section Fifty-three. Needless to say, the organization is disappointed that government has chosen to concede defeat. According to NEAB President, Pastor Lance Lewis, while government has chosen to step aside in the matter, there […]
The protagonist at the center of the UNIBAM Challenge is gay rights activist Caleb Orozco. Over the years, he has been the subject of scorn and disdain, as much as he has been heralded as a pioneer in the human rights movement. In spite of the successful outcome, Orozco maintains that there needs to introspection […]
As we reported on Tuesday, an eleven-year-old boy from Santa Elena Town, Cayo District was allegedly sodomized by his sixteen-year-old brother as he slept in his room early Friday morning. C.E.O. in the Ministry of Human Development, Judith Alpuche, told us previously that the ministry is working closely with police to ensure the child’s safety […]
We asked C.E.O. Alpuche whether their role has been simplified in handling cases under the now-amended Section Fifty-three of the Criminal Code. She told us that their role remains much the same. Judith Alpuche, C.E.O., Ministry of Human Development “We’re handling this like any other child abuse case. You do have to take into […]
Written on August 17, 2016 | Posted in
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A decision on the constitutional challenge brought before the Supreme Court by Belizean gay rights activist Caleb Orozco, on the legality of Section Fifty-three of the Criminal Code, was delivered by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin last Wednesday. The ruling in favor of Orozco serves to further polarize an already divided society on the controversial issue. […]
It’s been several months since a Senate Meeting has been held, despite several incidents of national importance; including, the B.T.L. Arbitration Award, the state of the economy, surging crime and the saga of William “Danny” Mason and his alleged connections with U.D.P. ministers. But at today’s senate meeting, Opposition Senator Valerie Woods recognized the ruling […]
But one social partner that does not support the ruling is the Council of Churches. Senator Ashley Rocke says that the concern is how the amendment to the law will affect children. Ashley Rocke, Senator for Churches “The concern is that now that the ruling has been made and it is the government […]
Access to healthcare has long been an issue for members of the LGBT community. According to Orozco, they have been shut off from respective medical institutions simply because they are not biologically related to their partners. As a result they are often kept in the dark when it comes to the medical status of their […]
Is gay rights activist Caleb Orozco any safer after Wednesday’s breakthrough decision? The question of his personal safety has always been an issue ever since choosing the pioneering role of challenging the legality of Section Fifty-three of the Criminal Code. At a press conference following the Supreme Court decision, we asked Orozco if he feels […]
Creating a Safe Space Agenda is an initiative that was being implemented by the YWCA and involved children and young adults from Belize City and Belmopan participating in various programs. CASSA, as it is locally referred to, officially comes to an end in September. This morning, a second group of participants successfully completed the program […]
The unremitting spate of crime and violence among rival groups is a social phenomenon which continues to grip Belize City. The problem has been observed keenly from the perspective of experts who study the Belizean society and the individual social institutions therein. It has also been scrutinized from the point of view of local law […]
According to ACP Williams, despite a fundamental difference in philosophy, he is still open to working with the team of social scientists. ACP Chester Williams, O.C., Eastern Division South “We must be real. Do not say things out there just because you want to sell a book.” Isani Cayetano “I think it was […]
An event took place in Belmopan today that is causing chatter and drawing controversy in some quarters. The Rainbow Flag, which is the recognized symbol of gay pride, was hoisted for the first time at the compound of the U.S. Embassy. There, it will fly until the end of the month to celebrate the ongoing […]
While members of the church did not gather en masse at the gates of the U.S. Embassy this morning, the leadership of the National Evangelical Association of Belize was present to voice its disdain for the controversial flag raising ceremony. According to President Lance Lewis, flying the LGBT flag is an outward expression that the […]
The Rainbow Flag has been hoisted at the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan and responses have been flooding in. Members of the LGBT community and supporters claim that it is a great day for Belize. Members of various churches and anti-gay activists call it an abomination and threaten fire and brimstone. Other more objective, less judgmental […]
The abuse of elderly persons in many forms is not rare; in fact it is common, but not often reported. On the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the message has been to place to the forefront the issues affecting the elderly population. HelpAge Belize also called on the community to double up on […]
Teachers descended on the Old Capital today for a protest march against one of the most controversial and unpopular laws to be put in effect. The march started from the Pound Yard Bridge and meandered through the streets, ending with a rally at the B.T.L. Park. Despite sweltering temperatures, the teachers trekked peacefully, calling for […]
Baroness Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, held a brief session with the media this afternoon where questions pertaining to her visit to Belize were fielded. Baroness Scotland is on her first visit to Belize which is also the first leg of an official tour of the Caribbean countries. During the press conference she […]
During her stay, the Secretary General will also be visiting the Office of the O.A.S. in the Adjacency Zone, where she will be received by the Chief of the O.A.S. Fund for Peace. Today, Baroness Scotland also spoke about Belize’s role as a CARICOM member state. Baroness Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary General “As you […]
Health workers as well as law enforcement officers have completed a six-month course on treatment, rehabilitation as well as on reduction of drug consumption among users. Among young people, there is an increase in alcohol and drug abuse. Close to fifty persons took advantage of the opportunity to train on the different methods to reduce […]
