Dickie Slams Thirteenth Amendment

Prominent attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley has come out strongly against the proposed Thirteenth Amendment Bill, calling it an attack on the fundamental rights and freedoms of Belizeans. Bradley did not mince words, describing the legislation as something out of a “Nazi movie.”

“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 and communist movies. This can’t really be Belize,” Bradley said.

He argued that amending the constitution to allow security forces extra powers in designated ‘special areas’ would strip people of the very protections the constitution is meant to uphold. “It is unbelievable that this is where Belize is, that you could put in your constitution, which is there to protect you, things that are going to take away your protection. It is incredible,” Bradley added.

Bradley rejected the notion and said the real focus should be on working with communities to tackle violence at its roots. “What is happening here that a couple of the new slave masters can come and have a discussion?

Bradley also dismissed the claim that lawyers profit from defending criminals, noting that most people caught up in crime cannot afford legal representation. “It is an emotional argument to talk about lawyers and crime; the people who pick them up can’t pay no lawyer. Only sixteen people successfully sue. They can’t afford to go to any 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,” Bradley said.