Today all political parties, major, independent and "just-come" committed to advocate strict non violence for the upcoming general election. It's an imitative led by the Police Department - who've gauged the tense political climate and taken a proactive, engaged approach. So that gives them an 'A' for effort, but will the parties also get an "A" for implementation? That's what Jacqueline Godwin asked.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
When this happened in November - three months clear away from an election, the community seemed to hold its collective breath in fear of what the months leading up to the election will bring. The police saw it too, and have developed this code of conduct that all political parties, both major and independent sat side by side to sign unto this morning along with police.
It commits the parties to declaring their opposition to and rejection of political violence, denouncing the use of weapons, repudiating threats and other things. And a political code of conduct goes with that - in which they commit to non violence and non intimidation, avoidance of confrontations, and avoidance of defacing buildings and signs.
Maureen Leslie, Deputy Commissioner of Police
"We have conferences with the Commissioner and we know we are going into an election year so we had this discussion and he said we need to look at a protocol, an agreement more or less to get the parties to come together and have a non-violent election period. We have never had a violent election period but we are trying to be one step ahead of events so the document was looked at and we passed it on to the various political parties. We are very very happy that we had all the major parties in one room and we sat down like gentlemen and we did the signing."
It looks great on paper - but no penalties are stipulated for offenders, and we've all seen how awfully real it can get in the field.
Jacqueline Godwin
"We know no agreement can actually control human behavior so what will you be telling your supporters?
Henry Charles Usher, PUP Secretary General
"Well as I said just now, we have always told our supporters that where there is a confrontation position, step back. You can always step back and solve the matter through diplomatic means. We've never agitated for violence or intimidation of any sort. But you rightly said this is a gentleman's agreement, there are no sanctions there if you break the agreement but we intend to uphold our side of the agreement."
Doug Singh, UDP Chairman
"I think it is an honorable move by the Police Department to try to get parties and political activists in compliance to have a safer and a probably a more organized electoral campaign period. As a party we can do our best with our standard bearers and officials of the party to comply to these kind of commitments bur you know in Belize we take our politics seriously and supporters of candidates I think on both sides or for any candidate, I think are likely to break some of these kind of commitments. So we can only honor it to the extent that we can enforce that kind of honoring."
Jacqueline Godwin,
What is it that your party will be telling your supporters to do?
Doug Singh,
"Well I think it is not going to be just us, I think the public action and the public display of what we are doing today and the commitment of what we are doing today will be out there. But we will certainly, as we've always had, we've always asked for people to really act accordingly and be respectful to others, to try to make the process as safe and healthy for everybody as we possibly can so the message won't be any different."
Maureen Leslie,
"We can't control some of our supporters but I believe that if they can talk to the general bodies and all the street captains, and everybody else, the word can get out that we want to have this as peaceful as possible come election time."
Richard Smith, NBA
"We are here to comply because we believe that we are declaring a democratic system which calls for peaceful, a right to demonstrate, a right to declare your political preference and so we fully support this bill."
Erwin X, VIP
"The Lord says the best gift you could be to anyone is a good example so I would also call on all parties involved to ensure that this signing of an agreement for safety and security leading up to elections that will ensure that all of us are safe even after election."
Godwin Hulse was the witness of honor.
Senator Godwin Hulse, Witness
"We tend to see a lot of high energy and a lot of emotions. Hopefully the leaders in the parties will contain their following and say let's keep the tradition in Belize of peaceful elections and I couldn't get off this year without saying I wish we would reach the stage where we wouldn't even think of this."
