The sexual abuse of children has become a menacing problem that is chipping away at society and disrupting families. In the past two weeks, a four-year-old girl was raped and a seven-year-old was molested by her father. Those are only two reports that made the headlines, but there are many other minors who are victims […]
The “historic gang truce” appears to be on the ready to crack. On September fourth, Prime Minister Dean Barrow, along with several high ranking members of the Police Department and the Belize Defence Force, held a meeting with leaders of various rival Belize City gangs to broker what was called a ceasefire. That sit-down was […]
In Monday’s newscast, we showed you the protest by Fathers Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children. Today, UNICEF says it is extremely concerned about the increasing number of violent acts perpetuated against children. The two most recent cases involve a four-year girl who was raped and a seven year old who was abused by […]
Less than twenty-four hours earlier, on Saturday morning, fathers and others protested the heinous attacks on children. At the centre of the protest was a four year old pre-school girl who is living with the lifelong trauma of rape. Her mother and the community at large are outraged at the crime that was first reported […]
We have been reporting on the novel case being brought against the Attorney General by UNIBAM, the advocacy group for gay rights. Caleb Orosco, its executive president, is taking the attorney general to court seeking a declaration that section fifty-two of the criminal code is unconstitutional because it criminalizes “carnal intercourse against the order of […]
Every year Crimestoppers would raffle a house as a fundraising effort to pay for rewards. This year, an organization that intends on developing the minds of the youth, is picking up the slack. Several churches with the help of kids have built a sturdy wooden house that they want to raffle to the public. According […]
Prime Minister Dean Barrow met with the gangs on Sunday and hammered out a truce. It was said that all gangs had been invited to the negotiating table. On our newscast on Monday, the Minister Doug Singh singled out the South Side Gangsters, saying that they wouldn’t benefit from government assistance. Well, the SSG is […]
For the past seven years, Belizean youths have been participating along with others from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico in a program called GOJoven. It provides training opportunities to develop the leadership skills of young people, who can then educate their peers about sexual and reproductive health. Today a two year pilot focusing solely on Belizean […]
The recent spike in suicides in Benque Viejo Town has alarmed residents. Those high school girls, who were believed to have been involved in Emotional or Emo practices when they took their lives, contributed to an overall increase in the incidences of suicides in Belize. That’s the focus of the third annual conference of the […]
Is there a particular sex, age range, or type of personality that is common or trending amongst people who attempt or commit suicide? And is it worse this year compared to other years? Dr. Claudina Cayetano, the Psychiatrist and Clinical Advisor for the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Program, expounded on the current suicide statistics. […]
The Bak to Skool trimming program was started last year by two enterprising young men who wanted to do something positive in their community. It was an immediate hit among young students who needed a free haircut in time for the school year. The program is going beyond young boys this year; young girls are […]
With a threat of violence looming over the celebrations, there is reliable information that some residents of crime-afflicted neighborhoods have sat in a conference with officers at the Raccoon Street Police Station. While we can’t confirm who was at the meeting, reports are that it focused on recent tension that pitted the department, gangs and […]
UNICEF released a study on the status of women and children’s development today. Women and children are lagging behind in education and according to the report school success is hindered by low public awareness due to the lack of supplies. There are also limited opportunities and job skills training. The weak economy and extremely high […]
After receiving the full report, the Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega and Minister of Social Transformation Eden Martinez acknowledged the need to take the findings seriously, while the Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño contended that it’s time to get to work. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister “We have to ensure that we work hand […]
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is at the forefront of issues affecting children and adolescents. The situation of children and women were analyzed by UNICEF to determine the challenges and progress made since the United Nations adopted the convention on the rights of the child. That report will be released this Wednesday, but today […]
The CYDP in partnership with Restore Belize and Community Rehabilitation Department closed off their annual Summer Camp at the Yabra Green Football Field this afternoon. Over the past three weeks, at risk youths in the under seventeen and under fifteen categories were engaged in sports and life skills training. Director of CYDP, Edward Broaster says […]
A two-day workshop organized by the International Organization for Migration and the Labor Department got underway today. The aim of the seminar is to sensitize over fifteen labor officers on human trafficking, legal framework pertaining to trafficking, detection of traffickers and highlighting the importance of seeking help for trafficking victims. Diana Shaw of the IOM […]
The proposed ninth amendment is at the center of a firestorm. Lawyers, policy makers, and activists have been vocal about the controversial amendment, which—if passed—will prevent the courts from reviewing amendments to the constitution. That was top on the list of contentious issues that have Belizeans on edge. On Saturday, persons from across the country […]
Discussions on this newscast about the deterioration or proposed amendments to section eight and nine of the constitution would not be complete without one on section seven. That section of the constitution prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. To combat crime, the current administration has decided that implementation of the death penalty […]
The Ministry of Education and Youth hosted three hundred and ten young people from the Belize District at its Youth Consultation Forum. The event, which is a part of a countrywide initiative, engaged youth ages fifteen through nineteen to share what they would like to see implemented into the National Youth Policy that will be […]
The Council of Churches has made it clear that it opposes the case filed by the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM), which is challenging section fifty-three of the criminal code. UNIBAM is seeking to have the law declared as unconstitutional, claiming that it criminalizes sexual relationships between same gender couples. It’s an extremely controversial matter […]
Restore Belize has organized its first camp for troubled youths in an area that is prone to violence. The CYDP and other community organizations are partnering with Restore Belize. A total of eight teams will be participating in the friendly basketball games. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports. Isani Cayetano, Reporting A friendly game of basketball […]
The Preventative Detention bill was flatly rejected by the public when it was first proposed in 2007, but in May of this year the government re-introduced the bill in the House of Representatives for a first reading as a means to fight crime. It came up again for a second reading in June at the […]
There are other sections of the bill that has the commission sounding alarm. The twenty-day detention could also be extended via an application at the Supreme Court and the process; Matura Shepherd says limits the rights of individuals. The legislation is so sweeping that it extends to minors, who may merely be suspect of anti […]
The most recent statistics for HIV/AIDS show a decrease in new infections but while we are being spared in that area, there is some grim news to report. The Pan American Social Marketing Organization (PASMO) reports that there is a higher demand for sexual workers but that the use of protection for safe sex is […]
