Cabinet Discussed ‘Independent Investigator’ Legislation

Following comments by the Attorney General that his ministry is exploring a law to allow an independent investigator in the new year, Prime Minister John Briceño confirmed that the matter has been discussed in Cabinet.

Briceño explained that the government is considering models from the Caribbean rather than the United States. “We’ve discussed that in cabinet and feeling that maybe it’s time to be able to look at what has worked in the Caribbean as opposed to United States, because most of the times we see American TV, so we think about law and order and that kind of stuff, and looking what’s happening in the US Congress.”

He pointed to Jamaica as one possible example. “One that’s fairly successful is one in Jamaica. So we want to take a look at what Jamaica has done and see how we can use that to Belize,” Briceño said.

He stressed that any system must be designed to prevent political misuse. “It has to be done in such a way that present nor future governments can use it politically, just to go after political enemies. We have to ensure that there’s that safeguard.”

But for now, it remains only a discussion, with no commitment yet on whether it will be implemented or taken seriously.