At today’s public consultation on the Thirteenth Amendment Bill, we caught up with Francis Fonseca, there in his role as interim chair of the National Assembly’s House Committee on Constitution Affairs. Fonseca emphasized just how important this consultation process is, not just for transparency, but for shaping the next steps in this major constitutional proposal. So, what happens after the public has had its say?
Francis Fonseca, Interim Chair, House Committee for Constitution Affairs
“I think it is an important process and I hope the Belizean people appreciate that what we are doing here is a part of the legislative process. This is a part of the House Committee for Constitution and Foreign Affairs, which this bill has to go through, the Thirteenth Amendment has to go through that committee, holding a public consultation so that we can hear from members of the public, organizations or individuals, interest group, so that we can hear directly from them, their views on the bill. How we can make the bill more effective, what we can do to make the bill more effective. What we can do to make amendments at the house committee level before it goes back to the House of Representatives. I think it is a very healthy process, democracy at its best, affording our citizens the opportunity to speak directly to the house committee members on the substance of this bill.”
Paul Lopez
“How will you determine at the end of it whether there is a majority objecting to the bill and what is the course of action then?”
Francis Fonseca
“I think we are taking careful, copious notes of everything that is recorded. We have to report back to the house committee. Of course we have to report to our Cabinet on the state of the bill and I think coming out of those discussions we will be able to determine where people stand, where the public stands on this bill and I think any government wants to ensure we are not doing something the public is totally against. But if there is an opportunity to refine the bill, to improve it, to make it more effective and at the same time achieve our stated objective, then we will find that middle ground.”
One of the most outspoken voices is attorney Dickie Bradley. We caught up with him to get his take, and let’s just say, he held no punches. Bradley likens the proposed legislation to living in a Nazi state, arguing that it strips citizens in so-called ‘special areas’ of their fundamental rights. Here’s how he puts it.
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney-at-law
“It is an incredible thing that in 2025 we are going to interfere with the fundamental rights and freedom of Belizeans by saying to them we are going to put in the constitution that you have no rights once the police come for you. That is like out of those Nazi movies and communist. This cant really be Belize. This is unbelievable that this is where Belize is, that you could put in your constitution, which is them to protect you, things which are going to take away your protection. It is incredible.”
Paul Lopez
“A lot of the comments on social media, and I am sure you don’t follow them, says well you are an attorney it pays to have crime because you could represent these people. What do you think dah the solution to tackle this serious issue of crime and domestic terrorism if not this heavy-handed approach?”
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
“What is happening here that a couple of the new slave masters can come and have a discussion, that is what they should be doing to speak to the communities and citizens about what we can do to deal with crime in your area. Lake I is soaked in the problem the police have. This is perhaps the one area infested with the most shooters and killers, why couldn’t they do this to say tell us how we can deal with this problem? It is an emotional argument to talk about lawyers and crime, deh people weh deh the pick up can’t pay no lawyer. Only sixteen people successfully sue. They cant afford to go to no lawyer. I don’t drink and smoke weed but this is something like you are in a semi-stupor state to know this is happening in Belize.”
Earlier, we told you about the government’s public consultation on the proposed Thirteenth Amendment Bill, and it’s a proposal that’s raising concern across the country. The Briceño administration says it’s a necessary move to restore order in communities plagued by crime. But critics argue it could open the door to serious human rights violations. The bill also proposes a new Gun and Gang Court and aims to retroactively legalize past States of Emergency, some of which were previously ruled unconstitutional. So, what does all this mean for your rights and your safety? In this edition of the Five-Point Breakdown, we’re unpacking the key takeaways from the Thirteenth Amendment and what it could mean for Belize’s future.
Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers
Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers, Belize City Resident
“These people in the community not even worry about these amendments. Some of them do or some of them don’t care. They don’t even know what it is. You understand? Till when time start knock on their door.”
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Earlier this year, a High Court ruling sent shockwaves across the country. Sixteen men who were detained during a 2020 State of Emergency were found to have been unlawfully imprisoned, and the government was ordered to pay them over three hundred thousand dollars in compensation. But here’s where it gets complicated. In a separate courtroom, another judge ruled that the government’s actions were legally justified. So, what now? Well, the current administration, though not the one that declared the SOE, is now footing the bill. And in response, they’ve introduced the Thirteenth Amendment Bill, a controversial proposal that would make all past states of emergency legally untouchable by the courts. So, what exactly is in this bill? And how could it reshape the balance between public safety and civil liberties? Attorney-at-law Darrell Bradley breaks it all down for us
What is the 13th Amendment Bill?
Darrell Bradley
Darrell Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
“The 13th Amendment seeks to address those things in. Three ways. Number one, it recognizes the declaration of special areas, so you can declare certain areas, special zones it can be areas which cover the entirety Belize, or it can be particular areas. And within these areas, the declaration will be made as a result of emergency situations as a, because of crime, the prevalence of crime. So it’s a crime. Fighting tool that you’re giving the government to deal with certain areas and within those areas, fundamental rights will be suspended during the period of the declaration.”
In these proposed “special areas,” police would be allowed to search, seize, and arrest people without a warrant. That’s raising red flags, especially in neighborhoods that have been repeatedly targeted under past states of emergency. While these tactics aren’t new, writing them into the Constitution would make them much harder to challenge in court. And that’s what has many people worried. One of them is Kenneth Flowers, better known as “Big Tom.” He says he’s been detained under every SOE for the past four years, and he’s concerned this new law could make it even easier for authorities to target people in his community without cause.
“Big Tom”
Who Will be Affected by the Bill?
Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers, Belize City Resident
“I get victimized by my past. You understand? So that keep me go to jail whenever they have state of emergency, when I even committed a crime. So now I am against it because. A lot of children who are not involved in a crime and they children come on. So I think they should make better decisions because in a country like this, all of us are feeling government failing. Parents, feeling brother, sister feeling the churches are failing. So we should sit down and make better decision because crime have cons. But human have rights.”
Assistant Solicitor General Randall Sheppard says the language of the proposed law will be revised before it’s finalized.
How is the Amendment Different from Current Legislation?
Randall Sheppard
Randall Sheppard, Asst. Solicitor General, Office of Attorney General
“Instead of having the order being issued as we, as I mentioned earlier, the order under the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act is actually issued by the minister instead of allowing for that, the new provision in the Constitution that is being proposed at section 19 A. It states that the order would be done by the Governor General on the advice of the National Security Council.”
Under the proposed amendment, the power to declare “special areas” would shift from the minister to the Governor General, who must first consult with the National Security Council or the National Advisory Committee. This change is also meant to cover emergency declarations for natural disasters. These states of emergency would be limited to one month unless extended by a two-third vote in the House. But not everyone’s on board. Opposition Senator Sheena Pitts says the bill misses the mark, arguing it doesn’t address the root causes of crime.
Is the 13th Amendment an Effective Solution to Crime?
Sheena Pitts
Sheena Pitts, Opposition Senator
“ What the government is not doing is making the police department properly equipped with the capacity to solve crime. What the government is not doing is identifying areas in which they can strengthen. Crime fighting mechanisms. All they’re doing is taking the heavy handed approach, which is only temporary because a period of emergency is not forever. It is imposed in the first instance for a month, and so all they’re doing is putting a pause of what they feel would be a crime ridden area for one month limit people’s movements and their freedom.”
The People’s Constitution Commission recently wrapped up a full review of Belize’s Constitution, offering reform ideas based on public input. But attorney Darrell Bradley is raising concerns, not just about the bill itself, but about how it’s being pushed forward, despite that broader constitutional review.
Darrell Bradley
“Which quarters of society came up with this? So which quarters of society are clamoring for these kinds of changes? Are you talking about the law enforcement? Are you talking about the police? So again, how do we make laws in society? Do laws emerge organically from civil society agencies, from human rights agencies, from the legal fraternity? Or does the law emerge from the government? And the government comes up with a policy and then the government does consultations. You recently did an extensive public consultation that the people told you what they want to address, and then now we come up with something like this.”
The bill is still in draft mode, and public consultations are playing a key role in shaping what happens next. While many Belizeans are still on the fence, or outright skeptical, the police department is all in. They’re backing the proposal, calling it a much-needed tool in the fight against crime. Britney Gordon for News Five.
Former Mesop Area Rep Shyne Barrow has made a move that’s catching everyone off guard. He is throwing his support behind the government’s proposed Thirteenth Amendment Bill. His reason? A heartbreaking double murder in Belize City that claimed the lives of sixty-six-year-old Evadnie Jones and her disabled son, Luke. Barrow says he’s had enough of the violence plaguing our communities. While he’s clear that he doesn’t support any abuse of power, he believes it’s time for bold action against those who continue to terrorize innocent families.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Area Rep., Mesopotamia
“I said when I expressed support was on the heels of the murder of Mrs. Jones and her son which is abhorrent, shocking and something has to be done. I have been a vociferous critic of the Briceno administration, minister of police, former ComPol, but at some point you have to find middle ground and support an effort being made to deal with the crisis of crime. It does not mean that I support the violation of anyone’s civil rights. But if we have to make a decision between the civil rights of those terrorizing our nation and those who are innocent civilians, such as the innocent mother gunned down in her yard and her son, then difficult decisions has to be made. I asked the government to consider the constructive criticism of the stakeholders and take into plan, into mind, what it is they say can make the legislation better and let us try to come up with as good a bill as practical.”
A tragic and shocking incident out of Cow Pen Village; police say a man was killed over something as simple as a bicycle. The victim, Carlos Garvin, was found lifeless in front of a liquor store on Friday night, the result of a fatal chop wound to the upper body. Authorities say the attacker was armed with a machete. So, what led to this deadly confrontation? Here’s what police know so far.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“On July twelfth about seven twenty-eight p.m. based on information received police discovered the lifeless body of Carlos Garvin near a local liquor establishment in the said village. The victim sustained fatal chop wounds in the upper body. Preliminary investigation revealed that the attack may have been motivated over a bicycle. Police subsequently apprehended the suspect and charges will be laid today.”
Reporter
“Any alcohol involved?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“We have not ascertained that as yet but we do know the incident happened near a local liquor establishment.”
Today, top brass from across the country gathered in Belmopan for the Belize Police Department’s second-quarter COMPSTAT meeting. Held at the National Police Training Academy, the session brought together senior commanders to crunch the numbers, track crime trends, and fine-tune strategies to tackle violence and improve public safety. According to Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa, there’s good news; major crimes are down compared to this time last year. But not everywhere. The northern region saw a slight uptick, prompting fresh discussions on how to respond.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries
“COMPSTAT also affords us the opportunity to strategize most importantly based on the crime trends that we are seeing in particular areas obviously with a greater focus on the utilization of innovation and technology the allocation of our resources, patrols in hotspots in the country especially in Belize city right now that we are seeing a spike in gang violence over the last two or three weeks and so that was in essence the purpose of the COMPSTAT this morning in terms of the murder statistics for this very same period. In certain situations retaliation can be expected and so that is one of those scenarios that can definitely result in an optic in the crime statistics increasing gang tensions increasing violence and retaliation because it only takes one murder to result in three four five six. We do have the influence of a cartel so to speak narcotraffickers influencing crime in that northern region which is why government has made it a point to focus our resources in that northern area each and every year and it is expected toward the later part of this year that we have a significant increase in the amount of resources dedicated specifically to the northern region because as you know each year for the last three years the government has allocated between eight hundred thousand to a million dollars but we see where there is greater need for resources there because of the type of networking that the narcotraffickers are having with the Belizean players on the Belizean side.”
Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado is putting relationships at the heart of crime-fighting. At today’s COMPSTAT meeting, he emphasized the need for stronger bonds, not just within the police force, but with the communities they serve. Doctor Rosado says teamwork and collective decision-making among commanders are key to transforming how the department tackles crime. But he also acknowledged a major challenge: investigating gang-related violence, where victims and suspects often come from the same tight-knit neighborhoods, making witnesses hesitant to speak out.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“Today we had the opportunity indeed to review our achievement discuss ourchallenges and find new opportunities on how we can address the growing or evolving stress of crime we have indeed seen a downward trend in major crimes and for the first six months murder is down by twenty nine percent when compared to the same period last year. First of all as a commissioner of the police my first few months have focused on establishing a vision of transparency, accountability, a stakeholder centric approach I believe my leadership style has been transformational yet inclusive racing collective input adapted decision making and engagement and I think our commanders now feel more empowered more motivate in moving the department forward to address the many challenges we face in the department.”
Lawmakers are pushing the Thirteenth Amendment Bill, calling it a bold step to crack down on crime. But critics say it could come at a steep cost: your constitutional rights. If passed, the amendment would give the government sweeping powers to declare ‘special areas’—zones where police could search, seize, and arrest without a warrant. It also proposes a brand-new Gun and Gang Court and aims to retroactively validate past states of emergency, even those already ruled unconstitutional by the courts. Supporters, including Police Commissioner Doctor Richard Rosado, say it’s a necessary move to keep communities safe. But legal experts and human rights advocates are sounding the alarm, warning that this could open the door to government overreach.
Darrel Bradley
Darrel Bradley, Attorney-at-law
“I’m very concerned with that and I do not support it. And the reason I don’t support it is because you cannot deal with fundamental changes in one sense and not deal with structural changes in the other and that type of power in a system overall that has inequalities and structural problems can inure to the detriment of certain element of society which we’ve oftentimes punished. So the face of crime in Belize, not that we don’t have a serious crime situation and we need policing and so forth. But those kinds of fundamental changes to our constitution and our democratic must be one within the context of other structural changes that rebalances the negative harm. So when you’re talking about those serious types of powers, it’s actually dangerous.”
This morning’s attempt on Andre Kerr’s life marks the fourth attempted murder in Belize City since last Friday, a troubling sign that gang violence is on the rise. So, what is the Belize Police Department doing to stop the bloodshed? Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado weighs in on the growing concern and the department’s response.
Dr. Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“Any spike in violence is a concern to the police department and our investigators are working around the clock, meticulously trying to collect evidential material to identify and bring those individuals to justice. I am confident that we will have an arrest or two very shortly.”
A tragic family dispute that turned deadly is now making its way through the courts. Late yesterday, Matyas Carlos Bo appeared before the Dangriga High Court, where he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but not guilty to murder, in connection with the fatal stabbing of his own brother, John Bo, back in September 2024. The incident happened in Bella Vista Village, Toledo, during a night of drinking that escalated into a violent fight between the two brothers. According to the police, Matyas used a pocketknife to stab John in the chest after a heated argument. Despite efforts to intervene, John collapsed and later died from his injuries. Matyas Bo was later detained at his mother’s home and charged with murder. In court, he admitted to the stabbing but claimed he was heavily intoxicated and couldn’t recall the full details of the fight. Justice Antoinette Moore has deferred sentencing until August 5th, when a mitigation plea will be heard before a final decision is made.
