Belize

Overview and Key facts:

Capital: Belmopan Land Area: 22,966 sq km Head of Government: Prime Minister Dean Barrow Population: 288,000 (2007) Major Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole Major Religion(s): Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000) Date of Joining: 1981

Status of FOI Legislation:

The FOI Act was enacted in 1994 and it provides for the access to documents held by government departments. The Act however does not apply to the courts and the Governor General.

Status of National Human Rights Institutions:

Has an Office of the Ombudsman but no specific human rights mandate.

Have a Universal Periodic Review in the UN Human Rights Council 5th Session (May 2009) and have attended the Conference of National Human Rights Institutions in February 2007, London.

News Updates:

Belize: On 4 May 2009 Caribbean Net News reported the appointment of a new police commissioner, Crispin Jeffries. The president of the Public Service Union, Jacqueline Willoughby, has criticised the appointment procedure saying that Jeffries appointment and other promotions were carried out contrary to the Public Service Regulations.

Belize/Guyana: On 16 March 2009 ‘Caribbean Net News’ reported that the Caribbean Heads of Government have reaffirmed the integrity of Guyana and the sovereignty of Belize.

Belize: On 14 March 2009 ‘Caribbean Net News’ reported that the Prime Minister has announced that the country will abolish appeals to the Privy Council and instead begin allowing appeals to the Caribbean Court.

Belize: On 6 December 2008 ‘Caribbean Net News’ reported that the former Prime Minister of Belize has been charged with theft of $10 million from public funds.

Belize: On 10 October 2008 ‘Caribbean Net News’ reported that Belize’s Chief Justice had called for more resources to be directed towards the country’s judicial system, but had added that in spite of its problems the judiciary was nevertheless an independent body. He claimed that the main issue was a lack of judges and magistrates which led to delays in cases and in the issuing of judgements.