PM Introduces Bill to Establish Gun and Gang Court

Big changes could be coming to Belize’s Constitution, as Prime Minister John Briceño rolled out a series of proposed amendments during the latest House Sitting. Among the seven changes, one key proposal would give the National Security Council the power to recommend states of emergency, but only if there are reasonable grounds to do so. The Prime Minister also introduced a move to legally validate past SOE proclamations, dating back to 2018. And in a bold step to tackle violent crime, Briceño announced plans to establish a Gun and Gang Court, which would carry the same authority as the Magistrate and High Courts.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“A new section ninety-four A, establishment of a Gun and Gang Court as a feature of the separation of powers principles enshrined in our constitution of a democratic state like Belize, the judiciary is to be independent of the other branches of government. The power to create a new court should find its sources within the constitution. Currently, there is no power for the creation and establishment of a specialized court, to hear and determine only gang and gun matters and with the court having special hybrid powers of a Magistrate and High Cort judge. This is not how we solve crime. It is a temporary measure to solve crime we need to look at the root causes, the challenges our families are having, children going to school and having access. The challenge that when our young people come out od school they fell they don’t have a future.”