Author: Benita Keme-Palacio

Weekend Activities to Begin Celebrating Belize’s Independence

September is here, and celebrations are about to kick off this weekend as we dive into Belize’s Independence month. This weekend is set to be a blast with music, laughter, and plenty of fun. Events this weekend are lined up to honour our beautiful country. It is not a weekend you want to spend home, it is one to spend out and about showing your Belizean pride! So if you’re wondering what to do and where to go, here are some ideas: 

August 30 & 31, 2024 (Belize City)

  • Event: Sir Barry Bowen Belikin Bash
  • Location: Marion Jones Sporting Complex
  • Time: 6 PM
  • Admission: Paid

August 31, 2024 (Belize City)

  • Event: Carnival King and Queen Competition
  • Location: Marion Jones Sporting Complex
  • Time: 5 PM
  • Admission: Paid

September 1, 2024 (Belize City)

  • Event: National Flag Day Flag Raising Ceremony
  • Location: Flag Monument
  • Time: 6 AM
  • Admission: Free.

September 1, 2024 (Belmopan)

  • Event: National Flag Day Flag Raising Ceremony and Launch of Belmopan Calendar of Events 
  • Location: BNE Roundabout 
  • Time: 6 AM
  • Admission: Free

September 1, 2024 (San Ignacio and Santa Elena)

  • Event: National Flag Day Flag Raising Ceremony
  • Location: Town Hall Roof Top 
  • Time: 6 AM
  • Admission: Free

September 1, 2024 (Benque Viejo)

  • Event: National Flag Day Flag Raising Ceremony
  • Location: Town Council 
  • Time: 6 AM
  • Admission: Free

August 21, 2024 (Orange Walk)

  • Event: Fiesta FM Anniversary 
  • Location: Fort Cairns Market
  • Time: 10 AM 
  • Admission: Free

September 1, 2024 (Orange Walk)

  • Event: National Flag Day Flag Raising Ceremony
  • Location: Town Hall 
  • Time: 6 AM
  • Admission: Free

September 1, 2024 (Dangriga)

  • Event: National Flag Day Flag Raising Ceremony 
  • Location: Town Council 
  • Time: 6 AM
  • Admission: Free

Minister Kareem Musa: “We Cannot Tolerate Lawlessness”

The Briceño Administration has established the Emergency Powers Review Tribunal, a crucial body mandated by “Regulation 21A of the Belize Constitution (Emergency Powers) Regulations,” to oversee detentions that extend beyond one month under the state of emergency. The Tribunal will review cases of individuals detained under emergency powers that exceed one month.

The Tribunal will be led by attorney Jose M. Alpuche as the Chairman, and will include former police commissioners Gerald Westby and Jose Carmen Zetina.

In an interview with the media on Thursday, Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa defended the government’s approach to policing amidst rising criticism and addressed concerns about the perceived focus on suppression over community policing. “Over the last three years, we have the least amount of complaints of oppression and suppression, in the history of that, at least in the last 10 or 20 years,’ Musa said. 

Responding to criticism about the detention of a 13-year-old under a state of emergency, Musa told reporters, “At the end of the day, we cannot tolerate lawlessness. So whether you’re 13, whether you’re 15, whether you’re 40, age doesn’t really matter. But we have to ensure that we play a pivotal role in that young man’s life moving forward so that he does not end up in prison.”

The Tribunal is expected to operate independently and in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Belize Constitution.

BELTRAIDE Exchanges Knowledge with Costa Rica’s Model for Investment Processes in Belize

BELTRAIDE is making a bold move to transform Belize’s investment landscape by sending a high-level delegation to Costa Rica. Over the next two days, Jalen Avila, Acting Manager of BelizeInvest; Danielson Correa, Senior I.T. Officer; and Wendy Hernandez, Senior Projects Officer, will engage in a knowledge exchange mission with Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER). Their mission is to study Costa Rica’s acclaimed Single Investment Window (SIW) system.

The delegation is tasked with studying Costa Rica’s highly efficient Single Investment Window (SIW) system to improve Belize’s foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade performance by simplifying and automating investment procedures, enhancing investment promotion tools, and streamlining trade processes.

“This exchange mission is a pivotal part of the broader Trade and Investment Facilitation Project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and being implemented by BELTRAIDE,” BELTRAIDE stated in its press release. 

The insights gained from PROCOMER’s system is expected to guide BELTRAIDE in tailoring a similar approach to Belize’s needs. “By studying PROCOMER’s experiences, challenges, and successes, BELTRAIDE’s representatives hope to gather critical insights that will inform the implementation of a similar system in Belize,” BELTRAIDE added.

Belize Enhances Financial Stability with New Committee Agreement

Belize strengthens its financial resilience with a new financial stability committee. The Central Bank of Belize (CBB), the Office of the Supervisor of Insurance and Private Pensions (OSIPP), and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). 

The MOU establishes a Financial Stability Committee to align policies and ensure consolidated supervision across sectors including banking, insurance, and pensions.

Chair of the Financial Stability Committee, Governor Michael, emphasised the need for collaboration: “It is of the utmost importance that we strengthen stakeholder collaboration to achieve the benefits of coordinated and proactive supervision.”

The three agencies are committed to maintaining a stable and resilient financial environment in Belize.

John Saldivar: “I HAVE NOT RESIGNED”

John Saldivars has declared “I HAVE NOT RESIGNED” to the claims of his “constructive resignation” from the United Democratic Party (UDP).

In a Facebook post, the UDP’s Belmopan Standard Bearer criticised the party’s Central Executive Committee for declaring him and three other members—Tracy Panton, Patrick Faber, and Beverly Williams—as resigned due to alleged violations of the party’s constitution.

 Saldivar defended his stance by stating that he respects Party Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow and has supported his leadership. He said that the Party Constitution permits him to petition for a recall of Barrow, a right he insists is being unfairly challenged.

“All of a sudden, because we have petitioned for a leadership convention and a recall convention, and because we have been pointing out the many violations against our Party Constitution removing and appointing Standard Bearers unconstitutionally, we have become members of a fringe party and are deemed to have constructively resigned,” Saldivar said. 

The party’s decision to label Saldivar and others as “constructively resigned” follows Panton and Williams’ petition on Tuesday to recall Barrow, which was rejected by Chairman Michael Peyrefitte.

New Programme Distributes 200 Composting Bins Across Belize

Home composting is set to take a significant leap in Belize as the Recycle Organics (RO) programme distributes 200 composting kits across the country. Supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the initiative began on August 26 and aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions from waste by promoting sustainable waste management practices. 

The launch was announced at the Department of the Environment in Belmopan, where local authorities and community leaders were introduced to the new programme. The Recycle Organics team will visit Belmopan, San Ignacio, Santa Elena, Corozal, and San Pedro to distribute the composting bins and conduct training sessions on their use.

Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, stated, “Home composting is a cost-effective method that allows families and communities to reduce waste sent to landfills, cutting methane emissions. Canada commends Belize for its leadership in this area.” 

The programme supports Belize’s National Solid Waste Management Policy and the Global Methane Pledge, which seeks to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Dr. Kenrick Williams of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change remarked, “Belize is honored to collaborate with Canada in our shared commitment to combating climate change.”

Additionally, the programme will offer technical support for local organic waste management plans and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

Rev. David Goff Gives Up on UDP Mediation

The mediation team assigned to resolve the conflict between the United Democratic Party (UPD) and the Alliance for Democracy has decided to suspend its activities. This decision follows the parties failure to agree on a compromise. 

According to an official statement, the UDP, led by Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow, and the Alliance for Democracy, led by Tracy Panton, have only held a single meeting with the mediation team. 

In the statement, Reverend David Goff, who is representing the mediation team, said, “Given the importance of an effective and united Opposition Party to the proper functioning of our democratic system, we readily agreed to undertake the mediation effort. To date, we have held one meeting with each of the two groups.”

Goff continued, “Effective mediation is contingent on the parties’ willingness to compromise. We do not feel that that factor exists at present.”

The mediation team, which also included Bishop Clare, Laura Longsworth, Aldo Salazar, and Lindsay Garbut, has formally announced its withdrawal from the mediation process, stating, “We therefore hereby inform you that by means of this correspondence, we are formally suspending our participation in the mediation process.”

Digi Donates $50,000 Towards Belize’s Independence Celebrations

The Belize National Celebrations Commission received a $50,000 donation from the Digi team for the upcoming independence celebrations. The announcement was made this morning on Digi’s official Facebook page.

Belize will celebrate its forty-third year of independence this September, with activities set to begin next week. Digi stated, “The funds provided will support the various activities, bringing communities together to honor the nation’s achievements and look forward to a bright future.” The company also encouraged the Belizean community to take part in the patriotic events.

Digi added, “As a company rooted in Belizean soil, Digi looks forward to seeing communities come alive with the colors, sound, and spirit of independence.”

Belize Modernises Criminal Justice System

Belize’s efforts to modernise its Criminal Justice System takes a step forward with a ‘first of its kind’ conference on Criminal Justice Reform from September 2nd to September 6th, 2024, in Belize City. 

The Conference, hosted by the Senior Courts of Belize Judicial Education Institute, is titled “Advancing the Caribbean Court of Justice Academy for Law Needham’s Point Declaration.” The five-day event will focus on implementing the Needham’s Point Declaration and addressing backlog issues in the criminal justice system. 

The Needham’s Point Declaration covers key areas related to criminal justice reform, including policy and legislative interventions, prosecution, police representation for the accused victims’ rights, and judicial interventions. The declaration emphasises the need for swift justice for the guilty and protection of the innocent.

According to an official statement, the event will bring together judges, magistrates, crown counsel, defence counsel, police prosecutors, forensic analysts, and other stakeholders.

Opportunity for Caribbean Journalists to Cover COP29

Climate Tracker is seeking journalists from the Caribbean who are passionate about climate change to join its international reporting team for COP29. The conference will be held in the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, Baku city. Selected fellows will have the opportunity to cover significant climate issues and amplify Caribbean perspectives.

Climate Tracker is a non-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing climate journalism through training, fellowships, and global collaboration.

In-person fellows will receive comprehensive pre-COP training, attend the conference, and benefit from accommodation and flight coverage, along with a stipend. Online fellows will also receive pre-COP training and a stipend, but will not attend in person.

Both in-person and online fellows will gain exclusive training from climate journalism experts, network with global climate advocates, and receive support to publish their stories.

Applications are open until 6th September 2024. Interested journalists are encouraged to submit an application form detailing their experience and a published climate-related story.

For more information and to apply, visit Climate Tracker’s website.

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