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) –
I agree with you, if you do not mind being taken away your rights and complete freedom. Come on! you cannot be serious. how will it benefit the young generation. give me one solid point and I shall support the ninth amendment.
Anonymous (not verified) –
so glad i read this. My friends at school keep arguing about this and I really had no idea what it was about. Now im proud to say that im a 3rd former who is well aware of what is happening. And now I can protest against this w/ my friends who don't even really understand what it is!
Anonymous (not verified) –
I AM OPOSING TO THE 9TH AMENDMENT I DONT WANT MY RIGHTS TO BE TAKEN AWAY
I SAY NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TO THE NINTH AMENDEMNT...
Anonymous (not verified) –
I disgree with the ninth amendment becasue the government should not be in control of the entire country but instead try to guide to country to gain stability.I mean who are we kidding? If the government nationalizes private sectors or nationalizes soley we might become a moribund country.We are already in debt and if the government decides to play dictators we will be a borrowing country for ever.The governement is committing suicide to this nation.
Anonymous (not verified) –
I FULLY SUPPORT THE 9TH AMENDMENT!!!! I DONT WANT THE COLOUR PPL TO TAKE OVER BELIZE! WE SHOULD STOP THE MURDERS AND STEALING IN BELIZE! OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!!!!!
Anonymous (not verified) –
Open your eyes you say!? Pfft!!!! I think your the blind one....
Anonymous (not verified) –
This issue on the Nineth Ammendment honestly has me confused and i guess so are many other Belizeans. I agree with the GOB focusing on nationalization since revenues will stay in our country and contribute to economic growth. However, Minister Faber stresses that no rights will be taken away but from what i've read, the GOB is trying to take it further by proposing more changes so that in the future, the National Assembly will be able to make new laws and no one will be able to challenge this in court. Isn't this already taking my freedom and rights as a citizen?????????Hell yeah! So, i say to all those in favor of the Nineth Ammendment to plz look at the issue from both sides.
Remember, this GOB has promised so many things and has not yet been fulfilled and more importantly, crime and poverty is what should be at the forefront i believe!!!!
Anonymous (not verified) –
I am a proud Belizean. But IF this happens I am moving out of Belize asap. As will alot of people probably...... This is ridiculous!!
Anonymous (not verified) –
I believe in nationalizing our utilites is very important can't believe why the former PM sold every thing now they are millioners and we belizean will still say PUP nOOOOO PUP are bunch of corrupters. they are the ones that have beilze in a whole. come on Belizeans thinks before you say No to the 9th Am.
Anonymous (not verified) –
You have to think it through as well; I do agree that the pervious administration sold away everything and it was wrong and nationalization is a good thing. What is terribly wrong is the fact that our elected will have basically full power to create whatever law comes to there mind!! We may say; that is not constitutional but guess what, it will be!! 9th amendment mutilates our constitution tears apart our democracy and takes away our freedom.
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