Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Can Partnerships Help Belize Fight Human Trafficking?

With human trafficking continuing to threaten vulnerable communities, Belize’s government is stepping up its efforts. Officials, experts, and organisations gathered on Thursday to discuss the harsh realities of human trafficking and how to better protect those at risk. The event was organised by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIPs) Council and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). It focused on the global nature of the issue and how collaboration can drive real change in the fight against exploitation, particularly on the geopolitical and transnational dimensions of human trafficking.

In her opening remarks, CEO of the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Adele Catzim-Sanchez spoke on the harsh realities of trafficking but acknowledged the progress made. She said the road ahead requires continued partnership between the government, NGOs, international organisations, and the private sector.

As part of its commitment to fighting human trafficking, the Belize Police Department and the Human Trafficking Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding this year on February 8. Five months later, the RET International conducted a training session for transportation industry workers to raise awareness of human trafficking in July. The University of Belize incorporating the training into its e-courses.

The Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, highlighted the importance of that training and its impact in building awareness within the transportation industry. “Human trafficking is not only relegated to Belize. It’s all across the world. It’s a million, billion-dollar industry. And having this first step and this starting point, we really should begin to see some returns,” Wagner said.

Magistrate Court Gets a Tech Boost to Clear Case Backlog

Belize’s Magistrate Court is getting a digital makeover to help tackle its growing backlog of cases. On Friday, the court announced that it received new computers, printers, and other essential technology to assist in streamlining its case management system and reduce delays that have long affected justice.

The upgrade is valued at USD 35,000 (BZD 70,000) and is part of the European Union-funded PACE Justice Project, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

During a handover ceremony, Michael Lund, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, and Amilin Mendez, UNDP’s Team Lead for Inclusive Growth, Digitisation, and Governance, presented the equipment to Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegadapola.

“The provision of ICT equipment is a clear example of how targeted interventions can improve the functioning of public institutions, contribute to good governance, and support the modernisation and digitisation of magistrate courts across the country,” the UNDP said in a statement.

Faber’s Road Residents Vex with City Hall

Residents of Faber’s Road in Belize City are expressing frustration over recent parking restrictions enforced by the Belize City Council. The council painted a red line along both sides of the road, which prohibits parking along the area.

In June, Mayor Bernard Wagner discussed making changes and redlining the zone. He explained that the redlining was part of a solution to ongoing traffic and parking issues, especially with derelict vehicles. “As soon as they remove the vehicles, more are parked on the streetside again,” Wagner said. He added that the council had conducted a study “for all the residential homes along Faber’s Road, and in that study, our city planner found that there are spaces for people to park in the area that is owned by the city for most of the homes… We are looking to pass a required S.I. after the consultations with the residents in that area in the Faber’s Road area. But we are looking to redline that entire stretch right from the Boulevard.”

However, residents argue that the new restrictions are causing problems. One resident shared, “The city council did come around and ask our opinion if they should be parking on this road, and some of us based our concern.” The resident added that while the removal of abandoned vehicles is understandable, “the problem started when we spent $8 million dollars on a street so thin… when it could have been made much wider.”

Some residents also claim they are being ticketed late at night after settling in for the evening.

“We don’t have no parking space to park in the yard,” another resident said, adding that the sidewalk along the road is “taking up a lot of space.”

News 5 has reached out to the council for comment.

12-Year-Old Girl Crushed to Death by Bus in Jamaica

A Grade 7 student at Irwin High School, Jamaica, was crushed to death by a speeding bus shortly after school ended. 12-year-old Deanna Solomon was killed by a Montego Bay Metro bus on Wednesday afternoon. Local news reports suggest that Deanna was pushed by fellow students in a rush to board the bus, causing her to fall in front of the vehicle. The bus driver reportedly didn’t realise that Solomon landed in front of his speeding bus and accidentally ended up running her over.

Solomon was rushed to Cornwall Regional Hospital but succumbed to her injuries due to multiple fractures.

Her mother, Antonette Shaw, recalled their final conversation. She told local news Jamaica Observer, “She came and hugged me in the bed and kissed me and said, ‘Mommy later; yuh coming to Montego Bay?’” Shaw had urged her daughter to be careful before she left for school.

Shaw also shared her heartbreak upon hearing of the incident, stating, “Right now all of us break down… the house doesn’t feel like a home without her.”

The school has suspended exams to allow students and staff time to grieve. Deanna, who had excelled academically and aspired to become a judge, leaves behind a devastated community.

Elon Musk’s Net Worth Hits Record-Breaking $400 Billion

Making headlines once more is Elon Musk. The 53-year-old is ending 2024 hitting a historical record-breaking milestone after his new estimated net worth revealed that he may now be well surpassed $400 billion, according to Bloomberg.

The tech mogul’s wealth is primarily driven by the soaring value of his companies, Tesla and SpaceX. CNBC confirmed in November that Musk’s private stake in SpaceX hit a valuation jump to $350 billion.

Tesla’s stock also hit new highs this week, which propelled Musk’s wealth to $440 billion. The billionaire’s wealth surge comes after his active involvement in U.S. politics. In fact, CNBC reported that Musk pumped a quarter of a billion dollars towards Donald Trump’s second term as president campaign.

As of December 2024, Musk is $140 billion ahead of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who ranks second on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Iran’s New Morality Laws Threaten Women with Death Penalty

Iran’s controversial “Protecting the Family through the Promotion of Chastity and Hijab” law, which takes effect today, December 13, 2024, has drawn widespread international condemnation. The law imposes severe penalties on women and girls who refuse to comply with compulsory veiling, including the death penalty. Offences such as “nudity,” “indecency,” and “bad dressing” are punishable by flogging, imprisonment of up to 10 years, and fines. It also includes travel bans and restrictions on education and employment.

Amnesty International has condemned the law, with Deputy Regional Director Diana Eltahawy stating, “It intensifies the persecution of women and girls for daring to stand up for their rights.” Eltahawy warned that the law further entrenches Iran’s “suffocating system of repression,” while giving impunity to vigilantes who enforce veiling by force.

Iranian human rights lawyer Saeid Dehghan called the law unconstitutional, stating, “The punishments are grossly disproportionate to their actions.” Activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam MacKay described it as a “radical crackdown” by an “oppressive, gender-apartheid regime.”

The law follows widespread protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in custody for not properly wearing her hijab. A 23-year-old protester from the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom demonstrations said, “They’ve already killed Mahsa anyway, and, by now making it into law, they’re simply legalising the killing.”

Ministry Acts to Resolve La Democracia Water Issue

After News 5 reported water issues in La Democracia village, the Ministry of Rural Transformation and Community Development dispatched a team to look into the residents’ complaints. On Tuesday, local resident Chelsie Hyde told News 5 that the village had been “experiencing frequent interruptions in water supply, with no running water on some mornings. When water is available, its quality is alarming—it’s so brown that it leaves stains.”

The ministry said on Facebook, “In response to reports of discoloured water in La Democracia late yesterday evening, our Rig team took action.”

The ministry explained that the discolouration was caused by soil formation around the production well. It added that its team airlifted the RWS production well, cleaned out the reservoir, and initiated a full system flush to restore water quality.

Residents have been advised to run their faucets until the water clears up. “Due to discoloration within the distribution network, residents are advised to run their faucets until the water clears,” the ministry stated.

Are You the $170,000 Jackpot Winner?

The holiday season has come early for one lucky Belizean, as they won $170,000 in Wednesday night’s Mega Bingo draw. Belize Mega Bingo said on its Facebook page, “WE HAVE ANOTHER JACKPOT WINNER!”

It added, “The last big win was on November 20th, 2024, and now we’re celebrating yet again with a $170,000 jackpot winner on December 11th, 2024! Could YOU be our newest jackpot winner?”

For the winner, this prize could mean a very merry Christmas—and the timing couldn’t be better. As if the jackpot weren’t enough, the winner can take advantage of this weekend’s GST-free shopping days.

The government announced the special tax relief on Open Your Eyes on Monday, December 9th. “It’s the season of giving, and it’s about giving back,” said Michelle Longsworth, Director General at the Belize Tax Service. “We are now announcing that we will have GST tax-free days in December. This coming weekend, which is the 14th and 15th, Saturday and Sunday, and next weekend, the 21st and the 22nd. Weekends that are high spending in this month, these days will be GST free.”

So, are you the lucky winner?

Biden Grants Clemency to 1,500, Pardons 39 Weeks Before Leaving Office

U.S. President Joe Biden announced today that he is granting clemency to nearly 1,500 people and pardoning 39 persons convicted of non-violent crimes. This decision comes weeks before Biden’s presidency comes to an end and makes it the largest single-day act of clemency in modern U.S. history.

In an address, Biden said, “America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances.” He added, “I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offences.”

While the clemency announcements were widely welcomed by human rights groups and advocacy organisations, they also come on the heels of Biden’s controversial decision to pardon his son Hunter. However, White House officials insisted that Biden’s broader use of clemency is not influenced by that decision.

As his presidency winds down, Biden has promised further clemency actions. “I will take more steps in the weeks ahead,” Biden said. “My administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances.”

Sentencing for Convicted Murderer Julio Paiz Deferred

21-year-old Julio Paiz Jr. appeared in the Belize High Court before Justice Nigel Pilgrim on Wednesday for a mitigation hearing following his conviction for the 2021 murder of Hilberto Caliz. Paiz’s attorney, Emérita Anderson, attended the session virtually. In court, Paiz reportedly apologised to Caliz’s family.

Paiz’s sentencing decision has been deferred until December 18.

On December 11, 2021, Paiz shot and killed 35-year-old Caliz in the San Pedrito area of San Pedro Town. Justice Pilgrim ruled that Paiz had a motive for the murder, as Caliz had been responsible for Paiz losing his job.

Key circumstantial evidence was provided through the testimony of Ryan Sanker, who gave sworn evidence that Paiz was on the same golf cart as him before the shooting. Sanker stated that he saw Paiz armed with a gun and later witnessed him exiting the cart and running back with the firearm still in hand. Justice Pilgrim found Sanker’s testimony credible.

The Crown’s key witness, Emma Diaz—the common-law wife of Caliz—testified that she saw Caliz running as Paiz chased him, firing shots. She said Caliz fell to the ground, at which point Paiz stood over him and fired additional shots. Caliz sustained gunshot wounds to his chest and back.