53 Constitutional Reforms Tabled, What Happened to the Other 114?

Belizeans called for constitutional reform, but how many of their recommendations survived the review process? The People’s Constitution Commission submitted one hundred and sixty-seven proposals, yet only fifty-three remain after scrutiny by external experts and the Attorney General’s Ministry. With the long-delayed report now before the National Assembly, government says it will educate the public before asking Belizeans to vote in a referendum.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“But before we put such a result before the national assembly, it seems sensible that the government engages in a public awareness campaign on these recommendations of the PCC again all the recommendations cannot be taken on board. However, this consultation process will allow the public a mechanism to review and analyze recommendations to analyze government’s rational and recommendations and thus allow government to receive further feedback from the public. We anticipate this to take six to eight months. I encourage all Belizeans to assess and review the PCC reports with its recommendations, so that over the next months as government engages in awareness campaigns you participate in a sober and responsible manner.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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