Belize: Gov’t tables legislation that could repeal and replace its Constitution

The Belizean government has tabled a bill – the People’s Constitution Commission Bill – that will allow for a commission to draft and guide the process of promoting a new constitution for the country or amendments to the existing Constitution.

Education Minister, Francis Fonseca, while calling the possible change a “historic opportunity”, told legislators that there is a need for educating on what the Constitution stands for as well as the options.

“This is a historic bill, a historic opportunity for us as a people. I think it provides a unique opportunity for us, for all Belizeans, to engage in this process, to have your voices heard. We say it a lot of times that we have people on social media who complain about different areas of governance and that’s been the case for years and years,” Fonseca told legislators.

“Now we have an opportunity to engage in sharing your views on how you would like to see Belize better governed. All of us as citizens of this country should recognize this opportunity, embrace it, take full advantage of it. Let us not squander our opportunity to make meaningful change in the governance structures of our country,” he added.

The current Constitution came into force on September 21, 1981, when the country – a CARICOM member state – gained its political independence from Britain. – (CMC)