Calls Grow for Independent Budna Investigation

The United Democratic Party is still demanding answers in the Joseph Budna case. Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton says what happened; the beating, kidnapping, and handover of Budna to what she calls ‘hostile territory’, is a serious violation of rights. She insists this isn’t about defending Budna’s past, but about protecting Belizean citizens from government overreach. According to Taegar-Panton, the Briceno administration has shown no interest in an independent investigation and hopes rising utility costs will distract the public from demanding accountability. So, will there be a probe? That’s the question on the table.

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“The United Democratic Party supports the rule of law. There must be an independent investigation on what transpired with the beating, kidnapping, and handing over of Mr. Joseph Budna to hostile territory. It is not as some are promoting, that we are supporting a pedophile. In fact, let it be placed on record that I abhor pedophiles. This is an infringement on the rights and fundamental freedoms of our Belizean citizens. If it can happen to Mr. Budna, it can happen to anyone in this room. May I reiterate, it seems to me that the government has no intention, none whatsoever, on having or convening an independent investigation. They’re hoping that we will be so distracted by the many things that are coming through the pipeline, including the increase in cost of our utility bills. Water and electricity, we know, is on its way, that we will lose sight of the request for  an independent investigation.”