Senator for the Unions, Glenfield Denison, acknowledged that while women are among the most vulnerable, as it pertains to sexual harassment, men are also subjected to unwanted sexual advancements. N.G.O. Senator, Doctor Elma Kay, noted in her contributions that the N.G.O.s she represents are elated to see the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill brought before the Senate.
Glenfield Denison, N.T.U.C.B. Senator
“Just on a point that I think need to be brought a little bit more clear to the fore, our international obligations for nondiscrimination lends themselves to ensure that we don’t have separate standards for class of citizens. So I want to at this point drive it home that men are equally susceptible to sexual harassment in and out of the work place even the appropriate circumstance. So, I wish to appreciate that women bear the brunt of sexual harassment in the workplace as it currently stands. I don’t want it to be lost upon us that there are many instances of our young men being subjected to unwanted sexual harassment.”
Elma Kay
Dr. Elma Kay, N.G.O. Senator
“As non-governmental organizations we will always support legislation that in anyway advances the human rights of Belizeans citizens, particularly anti-discrimination in our society. So, we are very happy to see this being brought forward today. Not just one bull but too bills of this nature. We do have a request of everyone here and our Belizean public and that request is for all of us to be circumspect on the context, the human rights context for this bill, the disabilities bill, and the potential to further strengthen the protection against all discrimination faced by Belizeans, particularly the vulnerable groups. And I hear Senator Denison on not having different standards but certainly those vulnerable groups today include women and girls who are unfortunately the disproportionate victims of gender-based violence and it is not just sexual harassment.”
The National Security Council Bill was brought from the House of Representatives to the Senate for debate on Tuesday. The bill seeks to formalise the council that has been in operation since the early nineties. Eamon Courtenay, the Lead Senator for Government Business, explained that roles are not clearly defined under the informal system. On the other hand, Lead Opposition Senator, Michael Peyreffite contended that the opposition is not comfortable with the fact that the council’s director general will be subjected to the directions of the prime minister.
Eamon Courtenay, Lead Government Senator
“The bill seeks to formalize something that has existed in an informal way. The National Security Council has existed for decades, and I believe Senator Peyrefitte and myself are two senators who have served on the national security council. One of the challenges is the operationalizing of national security issues in the absence of a legislative framework. Who is in charge? Is it ministry of defense, ministry of national security or the prime minister? Who is responsible for intelligence gathering, the police, the Belize Defense Force, private agents? Who is responsible for coordinating, collating intelligence and ensuring it reaches the right eyes and ears in the national security apparatus of the country.”
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator
“The director general shall be subjected to the directions of the prime minister. That is the part I don’t like. What it says here when you look at the powers of the director general, it says in section twelve, the prime minister may from time to time give the director general directions of a general of specific nature to be observed with relation to his powers. When you look at the powers for example it says that the director general can even request for the interception of communication. More recently that was reserved for the police Department through the D.P.P. Now that same director general can, it is not just an advisor position, this person is taking on operational duties. I don’t know if any protocols will be worked out to ensure there is no overlapping with those duties with the police primarily.”
Caye Caulker now has a Digital Connect Center. This facility offers residents free Wi-Fi access, laptops, and computers, marking a significant step forward in digital inclusion. The center is a result of the ongoing partnership between Belize and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Beyond providing internet access, the center will also offer free training to enhance residents’ digital skills. Here’s News Five’s Azain Heredia with more details.
Azain Heredia, Reporting
The residents of Caye Caulker Village now have access to the Caye Caulker Digital Connect Center. And, for residents of La Isla Cariñosa, staying connected is important. The newly opened center, which officially launched on Tuesday, offers residents a dedicated space for studying and working, along with access to essential digital tools to thrive in today’s society. At the grand opening, Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities, highlighted the center’s potential to significantly benefit the island community.
Michel Chebat
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities
“The Caye Caulker Digital Connect Center is intended to have a significant impact and benefit approximately two thousand community members by giving unprecedented access To digital resources and services, the center will function as a hub for education, business, and community interaction, providing high-speed internet, computer access, and digital literacy training. These resources are critical in today’s society as digital skills are becoming more important for personal and professional development.”
This center offers more than just internet access; it provides comprehensive digital literacy training courses, enhancing the community’s skills and equipping them for success in today’s digital age.
Lily Li-Wen Hsu
Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize
“This Digital Connect Center is not just a facility with computers and internet connections. It will also carry out digital literacy training courses so that members of the community could be equipped with the tools and the capabilities needed in today’s digital era. In fact, I think I noticed that the village council already announced on his Facebook a workshop for children to learn introduction to Microsoft Office. How wonderful. With such proactive attitude and strong support of the council, I am confident this Digital Connect Centre will surely serve as a gateway that empowers members of the Caye Caulker village to embrace the endless digital opportunities.”
As many Belizeans are aware, accessing government services can be time-consuming, particularly for residents of island communities who are geographically isolated from the mainland. Minister Chebat explains that the new Digital Connect Center aims to bridge this gap, making it easier for island residents to access essential services. This initiative is part of the government’s broader transition to online services, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of location, can benefit from digital advancements.
Michel Chebat
“One of our major projects we’re working on, and we’re hoping to be able to launch that by December of this year. is our vital statistics unit. And so instead of you having to travel to Belize city to go and apply for a birth certificate and you get there, and you realize you’re missing some information and the person at the counter is probably not having the best day and they send you back and you have to travel to Caye Caulker without having obtained your birth certificate. You’ve lost your day’s wages. You’ve lost an opportunity having left your home and so on. And so what we’re trying to do is and what we will do is we’re going to transform that. We’re going to change that so that by December, God willing, from wherever you are across the country, you’ll be able to log on from a smartphone, from a computer center, and you’ll be able to apply online for your birth certificate, your marriage certificate, your death certificate.”
Today a Belizean medical student who lives in the U.S. introduced one of several books that she has authored. Madeline Dyer told News Five at the Angelus Press that the book, “My Mom, the Cook” was inspired by her daughter, who is autistic. She says that she is also giving back to her community that she needed when she was going to school in Belize.
Madeline Dyer
Madeline Dyer, Author, “My Mom, the Cook”
“I got into writing as an author because of my daughter. But the one, “MyInspiration” is literally talking about a time where I had to juggle both mom life and school with my little one, and she’s looking at me like I’m strong. And I said to her, no, you actually inspire me to be a better person than I was before. So my inspiration is literally about a mother’s love towards her child. I have an autistic child. She’s 12 years old and a part of why I became a writer was because of her. Because she’s taught me so much about the way to look at life and just parenting itself is very different. So what I decided to do when I came this summer was to partner with Autism Awareness here in Belize and try to give back to them because I know that autism is, seeming like something that’s just coming around, even though it existed prior to and those individual need a lot of support in whatever way they can get it. I feel like most people that pick up that book, they connect with certain pages. Parenting is difficult. It’s hard and it’s a topic I feel like a lot of people don’t really talk about. They don’t really give you much information on how to navigate parenthood, etc, so when you open the pages of one of my books whether it be my inspiration or my mom, the cook, you will definitely find a page or two that you will feel connected to. I’ve had a review from a thirteen-year-old once where she connected with the page that said I love her most even when I think she’s not fair. My book, if you’re in the U.S. can be purchased at Barnes and Noble, Target, Walmart, and on Amazon. In in Belize, they’re going to be available at every Angelus Press in the different districts. The “My Inspiration” is, I believe that they’re going to be doing it for twenty dollars and then My Mom, the Cook” is going to be twenty-five dollars. Alongside with the book I wanted to do a little bit more for my community and I’ve decided to give away school supplies as well while doing the book signing. The purpose of this is because I really do appreciate giving back. I was once one of those students that needed support when going to school and I’m sure there are still a lot of bullies and parents that can use that support as well. I’ve partnered with a few other individuals Phenomenal Nails. So I’m here to be giving away gift vouchers for high school students to get their nails done. She’s at 37 Mapp Street, and then I also have B.C.V.I. that donated vouchers for students to get their eyes checked. As it pertains to the school supplies, I don’t have a dollar amount really put on it, but each book bag is filled with school supplies.”
Are moves being made for U.D.P. Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton to challenge Moses “Shyne” Barrow for the party’s leadership? Tonight, the United Democratic Party is displaying signs of significant internal division. Key figures within the party have reportedly launched a petition to remove Barrow as Party Leader. As we reported on Monday, eighteen U.D.P. standard bearers met in Orange Walk to discuss “general reform.” Panton, second deputy leader Beverly Williams, and former leaders Patrick Faber and John Saldivar participated in the meeting. And things are moving fast as Saldivar, the U.D.P. Standard Bearer for Belmopan, has reportedly called a meeting with the party’s western standard bearers tonight. Plus, Panton’s supporters are making it publicly known that they are with her. Several prominent U.D.P. figures took to Facebook to pledge their support for Panton, using the phrase “I am with her.” Among those who made these social media posts were John Saldivar, Patrick Faber, and Beverly Williams. Except for John Saldivar, who wrote, “the first loss she took it on the chin, now all she is going to do is win,” no one gave an explanation behind their post. Today we caught up with the Chairman of the U.D.P., Michael Peyrefitte, and we asked him about the U.D.P.’s internal turmoil. Here is how he responded.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.
“Well I think it is only on social media because social media exists. There have been riffs in the U.D.P. since its formation in 1983. So that is nothing new. That is not news. That is what we do. We are active. We are not monolithic. We have our opinions. We have our positions that we take and we create an environment where people can express themselves and say what they want. So, I don’t see it as a riff. It’s just what we do.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you know if there is an intention to overthrow the current party leader. We interestingly See individuals like Patrick Faber, Beverly Williams, throwing support behind Tracy Panton.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“I haven’t heard of that. I am not aware of any intentions. I know we have a party leader. There is a process if you want to change party leaders. I don’t know that any such process has begun. But, time will tell. I mean like I said earlier we don’t put a limit on what people can do in the party. If that is what they want then that is what they do. But I don’t know. I am not hearing anything like that.”
Paul Lopez
“Are you aware that there was a meeting in Orange Walk yesterday. I understand Patrick Faber was at that meeting as well as Ms. Bev and that perhaps that is where a lot of this originated and the idea of replacing Mr. Barrow for Ms. Tracy originated.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“No, I am not aware of such meetings. I am only aware of central executive meetings and N.P.C. meetings. Any other meeting other than that, and I know we have a national party council meeting on August third. But other than that I am not aware of any other meeting.”
Paul Lopez
“What is scheduled to be discussed at that meeting and will the party’s leadership moving forward be discussed?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“I cannot say what will be discussed at that meeting but leadership issues cannot be discussed there. According to our constitution the N.P.C. cannot discuss that, there is a different procedure for that. But, we always have N.P.C. meetings after an election to discuss what we did right, what we did wrong. As far as I am aware that is the purpose of the meeting. But of course, the party can bring up any other matter at any time to discuss. But when it comes to, as you are alluding to, I am not aware of it, but as far as I know, when it comes to removing a leader there is a process that has to take place that has nothing to do with the N.P.C.”
Paul Lopez
“Where do you stand personally? Do you remain neutral? Is your position that you have to remain neutral?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“I remain in the position of whatever is in the best interest of the party. If there is a petition, then that petition then that petition has to be fleshed out. But I will not participate in anything that reduces the rich history of the UDP and I will make sure that whatever is done is done fairly and within the constitution of the party.”
And, Peyrefitte says he is not acknowledging any rumors or reports of a plot to overthrow Moses “Shyne” Barrow because he has not received any official correspondent. We also asked him where he stands on the issue and if he believes the U.D.P. can return to office with Barrow at the helm.
Paul Lopez
“What do you say to these individuals, Patrick Faber, John Saldivar, Bev Williams, individuals who you have relationships with. They are a part of the fabric of this party, and some would argue long before the current leader.”
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.
“I would say nothing to them at this point.”
Paul Lopez
“Is there any intent to bring them all together in a meeting of sort and have a discussion on how the party can move forward with a unified front?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“We talk every day and that is what we strive for. So, to attempt to do that is nothing more than we do every day, so.”
Paul Lopez
“In your view, can the United Democratic Party return to office with Moses “Shyne” Barrow at the helm?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“I will say if the P.U.P. can have Johnny Briceño as their prime Minister and their leader anybody can be prime minister then anybody can be prime minister. So I am confident that is possible.”
Paul Lopez
“What’s your thoughts on the idea that the party basically has the leader of the Opposition because you need his financing. He is the financier right now.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Listen, the people of the U.D.P. will decide that. It is not something for us to analyze. I mean the people will decide whether or not they want to keep Mr. Barrow as leader or whether they want to remove him. That is totally for the people if we get that far.”
Paul Lopez
“So you do acknowledge there is a riff.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“I never said there was a riff. You are saying there is a riff. I haven’t received anything to indicate there is a change. I don’t have anything in front of me. I won’t follow what social media says or what rumors say or what people put in a chat. If I don’t get official documentation as far as I am concerned, we are carrying along as we are. The U.D.P. survived the walking out of Phillip Goldon you know, Hubert Elrington and we can go back in history. The U.D.P. is an organization that will survive no matter what.”
Finally, from our interview with U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte, we asked him for his thoughts on the party’s embarrassing loss at the polls for the Toledo East by-election. Peyrefitte was on the ground, working, and says the U.D.P. fought a hard fight. He is predicting that the next general elections will yield much different results.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.
“I wouldn’t put it in a negative light like that. If you have the Toledo East constituency the entire government was down there to back their candidate in one constituency. You can tell that by the amount of Minister and government vehicles that were down there. I mean they should have beat us by ten to one with the efforts they put in. We did the best we could. We fought the hard fight and we have no regrets about that. We have to do what we can to put our case to the people. If we are not victorious we are not victorious. We go back to the drawing board and recoup. What will he the real test is when the general election come and Osmond Martinez is there by himself. I can tell you this, on election day John Briceño won’t be in Toledo East. You cannot look at what the Government does with full backing and resources against an opposition party. And maybe you know, maybe people decide if we vote for the U.D.P. in that by election there isn’t much they can do for us. That person won’t be a Minister. So maybe they believe if they election someone from the current party they will be able to get something. But the general could be very, very different and we expect it to be very different. I really don’t understand the over analysis of the U.D.P. From 2006 to 2018, twelve years the P.U.P. didn’t win an election, except for some seat in Orange Walk, from 2006 to 2018 and we are only less than one third of that time. Politics works in swings and with the pendulum. Right now, they have the momentum and they are winning at the polls but it’s not to wonder what is so wrong with the U.D.P. People sometimes vote for change and the U.D.P. only looks like some juggernauts because it’s their time.”
Senators debated a proposed amendment to the Fiscal Incentives Act brought from the House of Representatives. The amendment seeks to standardise the incentive and concession package provided to investors undertaking projects in Belize with a value of more than two hundred and fifty million U.S. dollars. Senator for Government Business Eamon Courtenay explained that this is the sole purpose of the amendment. Opposition Senator Michael Peyrefitte, however, questioned why an investor with access to so much capital would need such incentives and concessions.
Eamon Courtenay, Lead Government Senator
“The purpose is to avoid where possible and as much as possible, the necessity to negotiate every time one of these bug projects come in, there is a negotiation with government, they want tax exemptions from all sort of things for particular period of times and it varies depending on who is negotiation and what government is in power. We are trying to standardize it to make it clear this is what you are going to get if you have an investment over U.S. two hundred and fifty million dollars. We also make recommendations for highly skilled workers to allow them to bring in some of their personal effects with limited duty exemptions. The purpose is to standardize the exemption package and continue to attract investments so as not to have it on a one by one, looking at it a negation with one developer here and another one is in agriculture, so you give him something different, something is in tourism or industry. It is going to be standardized and that is the purpose.”
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator
“There is an age-old question, if you don’t plan on doing anything wrong then why you need indemnity right. If you have two hundred and fifty million U.S dollars, why you need so many exemptions? You broke? You have two hundred and fifty million U.S dollars. Why is it that the only time we can attract people is when they say they have a certain amount of money. I will get into what the bill proposes. The bill doesn’t say you have to have it or that you have to show you have it. The bill doesn’t say before we even give you these things you need to park that money in Belize and if you change your mind, you have no choice but to spend it but here.”
Business Senator Kevin Herrera also weighed in on the debate. He questioned if the Briceño Administration has set the bar too high at two hundred and fifty million U.S. dollars. Senator Christopher Coye explained that for the first time in 2022, Belize has surpassed a billion dollars in investments by domestic and foreign investors.
Kevin Herrera, Business Senator
“My question is where does these two hundred and fifty million dollars come from? If we develop a policy or we pass a policy such as this today, will it be effective to capture the type of investments we want to capture. Two hundred and fifty million U.S dollars in such a small economy like this seems excessive, especially if you look at it in the context of our annual budget. You could round it off to two billion dollars in terms of spending for a year and so if you look at two hundred and fifty million U.S., you are actually looking at twenty-five percent of the total annual budget. Which is a large amount, so I don’t know where the two hundred and fifty million or five hundred million Belize dollars is coming from, but it seems pretty large. In my mind I am wondering if we will really have investments of this size and if the objective is to provide these incentives so that you could attract investments in these areas, that bar may be a little bit high.”
Christopher Coye
Christopher Coye, Government Senator
“Between 2009 and 2019 the average growth in investment, that is measures by gross fix capital formation on our G.D.P. stats, was on average growth about one point four percent a year. In 2020, because of COVID, it dramatically contracted by twelve percent. But in 2021 we saw a tremendous increase in investment and that investment is not foreign direct investment only. It includes local investment. That increase was upward of thirty-eight percent in 2021 alone. It increased further in 2022 by another twenty percent. In 2023, this is preliminary, but it is roughly twelve percent increase. That is in stark contrast to an average investment growth rate of about one to one and a half percent in the prior dozen years.”
Residents in Dangriga are anticipating the start of a fifty-million-dollar project to rebuild the Commerce Bight Port. The construction phase and the completion of the project will reportedly create numerous job opportunities for residents in southern Belize. The project is being undertaken as a public-private partnership in collaboration with Southern Deep Port Limited. So, it was brought to the Senate today for debate. Here is how that went.
Eamon Courtenay
Eamon Courtenay, Lead Government Senator
“It is expected that this will create jobs and most importantly a new part of the tourism sector which is a marina where yachts can come in harbor and enjoy the beauty of Belize and be based there. I understand from the Minister of Tourism that in Guatemala in Rio Dulce the yachts have to come out of the country of Guatemala for a minimum of three months. They would love to do it in Belize but there is no marina. This seems to be a solution to that particular problem, aside from attracting other yachts that want to use marinas in our water. Most importantly it will provide economic stimulus for residents of Stann Creek District, creating jobs, attracting investments and we believe this will be very beneficial to the economy of Belize.”
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator
“Who are these people? Who is this developer we are talking about that we will give a port of entry to? I ask it genuinely. I see that the agreement was signed by an Emilio Zabaneh and the government. But, who else is involved in this project? Who are the funders of this project, because this agreement has some striking clauses in there that we could come here today, debate and agree. From what we know Emilio Zabaneh is a Belizean. But there is nothing that prevents him from unilaterally divesting himself of these shares next week without telling the government, or if his company can’t meet his obligations these funders can come in and take over the port.”
