The ninth Amendment to the Constitution of Belize has been proposed at the National Assembly in Belmopan and has been the biggest “talk of the town” everywhere in Belize. The problem is that is filled with sophisticated language terminology and legal jargon. All of this gobbledygook has gotten the ordinary Belizean confused. So is this first paragraph confusing, right? So we better put this down in simple layman’s terms for children to understand.
The debate on the ninth Amendment hosted by Love F M Radio and Television had members of the senate, President of the Bar (Association of lawyers), former Attorney General and the Solicitor General. After four hours of debate Moderator of the program Senator Goodwin Hulse summarized the entire procedure as follows:
In its desire to fix matters on the acquisition of BTL, the government has changed parts of the constitution of Belize so that the owners cannot take this matter the court anymore. So far, so good for nationalization. However the government is proposing to add more to the changes or amendments so that in the future parliament or the National Assembly will be able to make new laws and nobody will be able to challenge this in court. The National Assembly will have supreme powers and not the court. All lawyers are arguing that this is taking away our rights and freedom.
An example given: Suppose the National Assembly makes changes to the constitution calling general elections every 20 years instead of every 5 years. Once passed, nobody will be able to challenge this in court. This is only one example.
On the other side of the debate government officials argued that it is not so - that citizens will still be able to take matters they don’t agree with to court.
Thus ended a historic debate which, in our opinion, did give a bit of light to the case in question. The only question that remains is who is saying the truth and who is telling lies. We do need more of these debates to try to discover who is speaking the truth. Good idea! Maybe a debate in San Pedro can be hosted (perhaps by the J P Association) where we can participate.
Anonymous (not verified) –
If the president of the Association of Lawyers is telling us that this ammendment will take away our rights as Belizeans, we can figure out that she is speaking the truth.
Anonymous (not verified) –
Fidel Castro started by pretending to want to save the poor people and to share with the poor. He called it socialism and then it turned out to communism. He is a dictator who refuses to die.
Anonymous (not verified) –
Mr. Erlington even suggested that if citizens do not like something, they can go to the streets to riot and create anarchy to force a change. How about that?
Anonymous (not verified) –
We cannot allow the Prime Minister to do as he pleases. He is only focusing on his own interest. If he takes over BTL, other private companies will be discouraged to invest in Belize. This will lead to a higher unemployment rate. We do not want to live in dictatorship.
Anonymous (not verified) –
I am so disappointed in what the PM is doing. He is acting on behalf of his own interst. Not for the people's interest. This will discourage outside investors from coming to Belize. This will increase unemployment. We, the people have to pay for BTL through higher taxes. If the PM is doing what he wants, soon he might become a dictator. People open you eyes and realize that it will not benefit us in the long run. I am not voting for UDP anymore. They better change their behavior.
Anonymous (not verified) –
It is disappointing to see how the leader of our country is willing to twist the law in order to get away with his personal desire, it is frightening to see how our rights are taken away from us. This is truly an example of dictatorship and total disrespect for our constitution.
Anonymous (not verified) –
What does the "Father of the nation" have to say about this issue? Please can someone contact him and ask.
Anonymous (not verified) –
while i feel that we need to make sure all wording of the amendment is carefully examined , i say it's about time our leaders in parlament stop this advantage to be taken of our people by these foreigners who dont give a hoot about us as Belizeans, and dont be caught up by partisan motive .
Anonymous (not verified) –
as a yonug belizean i think whwt our (PM) is doing is very beneficial not for him but for us as the younger generation. thank you!
Anonymous (not verified) –
well you see whats happening is that gob wants to own you in other words you will be a SLAVE ONE THE 9TH AMENDMENT IS PASSED
DO YOU THINK YOU CAN LIVE UNDER OTHER COMANDAS WITHOUT ANSWERING ANY THING OR EVEN TELL THEM THAT YOU DONT WANT !!!!!
EXAMPLE IF YOU HAVE A HOUSE INA BELAMA AND THE GOB SAYS YOU DONT OWN IT YOU CAN TAKE HIM TO COURT ONCE THE NIGHT AMENDMENT IS PASSED AM A MEXICAN BELIZEAN THAT GROW DA BELIZE WENT TO BELMOPAN COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL AND I SAY NOOOOO TO THE 9TH AMENDMENT
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