And while BEL and the blackouts are this week’s hot button issue, the most burning political issue for the past few weeks has been the proposed constitutional amendment which would allow preventative detention. It would give the police authority to detain suspected criminals – on the basis of suspicion for a period of 7 days – while depriving them of the right to see an attorney or go before the court.
It is controversial and so far two public hearing have been held, one in Punta Gorda last week, and the other in Corozal last night. Those who appeared at those sessions have expressed objection and though the crowds have been small – they didn’t need to push at an open door. Barrow had said he would withdraw the bill if there was a vocal minority and today he said he is satisfied that minority has spoken.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“I said from the beginning that I understood that this was a very dicey, tricky issue. In proposing it, I myself had to in a way almost come loose from my constitutional moorings but I thought that the law and order issues in our society had become such that we at least had to contemplate what was admittedly an extremely draconian measure.
Everybody that has spoken about it so far, that might be a slight exaggeration, but by my reckoning, everybody that has spoken about it so far is against it. I have said from the start that as a democratic government, I would be bound to heed the position taken, even if it were by a minority, so long as it is a vocal minority. I don’t know whether it is a minority but those that are against it are certainly vocal and I say again those that may be supporting it have not said anything. I am therefore prepared to indicate that at this stage, the government would not be proposing, I will not be proceeding with those aspects of the constitutional amendments when the Bill goes back to the House.”
And while that’s the end of that proposed constitutional amendment, Barrow said his government is determined to go ahead with another, which will declare that all petroleum and mineral rights for discoveries made in Belize are the property of the government and people of Belize – and not for the landowners upon whose land the petroleum or minerals were found. That’s already contained in the law – but because some landowners are preparing a firm challenge, Barrow’s government will enshrine it in the constitution.
And while he said he will absolutely not back down on that one, he says that further to talks with Greg Ch’oc from the Mayan Leaders Alliance, his government is inclined to make a special dispensation for the Toledo District.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“I did indicate that if oil is found in the Toledo District, I am prepared to say to Cabinet and to the National Assembly, let us legislate to ensure that a portion of the oil revenues coming out of the Toledo District go back specifically to the Toledo District to be administered by some sort of a trust, the objects of which will be made public. A trust run by trustees from the Mayan people so that we can be certain that we are paying respect to the fact that the Toledo District remains the most underdeveloped district, that the Mayans have had their customary rights vindicated by the Supreme Court and that there is a special case to be made.”
Barrow was unclear as to whether that will extend to any oil discoveries which may be made offshore of the Toledo District. As regards the constitutional amendment – it will also have the support of the Leader of the Opposition. He told us that in an interview today and we’ll have that for you later on in tonight’s news.
