People's Constitutional Commission Bill Finally Goes To House
The government is hoping to make more sweeping and substantial changes to the constitution using the People's Constitution Commission. As we told you, this Commission is being established because the Briceno administration wants to consult the general public on how best to amend the Constitution of Belize to make it fit the needs of 21st-century Belizean society.
After months of discussion, the Bill went back to the House and was finally passed. Here is the debate:
Henry Charles Usher - Minister of Constitutional & Political Reform
"Madam Speaker, as I had mentioned when the bill was first read back in July, it consists of five parts, twenty-five sections dealing with the establishment of the Commission: the composition and appointment of members, the functions and procedures of meetings. It also deals with the administrative process provisions of the P.C.C., including the establishment of the Secretariat, the Good Governance Unit. Madam Speaker, it also speaks about how the recommendations will go before the National Assembly. Very importantly, Madam Speaker, section seven deals with the independence of the Commission."
Moses "Shyne" Barrow - Leader of the Opposition
"The Opposition supports this bill, Madam Speaker, I must say that it is long overdue. I know that Prime Minister Musa had attempted, during his administration. I'm not sure if anything came of that. However, it is my hope that this People's Constitution [Commission] will discharge its mandate efficiently and that the goal is to protect rights and expand rights. So, I hope that we don't find ourselves in a position where rights are being taken away because we live in a democracy. We live in a nation of freedom, a nation where the rule of law trumps everything. And so, it really has to be that we are looking at how best we can protect the rights of all of our citizens, equal rights, all of their rights to end discrimination, to make access to justice, as the Minister of Education mentioned earlier. And I must say that in the House Committee meetings, I raised issues with the Committee, and the Minister of Political Reform and Constitution was there. And I am satisfied - cautiously - that he will follow through. The committee will follow through to ensure that there is as much inclusion as practicable."
Channel 7
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