Last night, we showed you the ceremonial opening of the Supreme Court, an event which takes place every year on the second Monday in January.
This year, the event was different because it had to take place virtually due to public health risks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Acting Chief Justice, Michelle Arana, was particularly candid about the problems facing the justice system, and how gaps in resources caused by a lack of funding, has impacted its performance and efficiency. In her remarks at the opening ceremony, she also shared a few thoughts on her ascent to this high judicial office. Here's what she had to say about being the first female chief justice:
Hon. Michelle Arana - Acting Chief Justice
"I am truly grateful to the former Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow, and the current Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceno, then Leader of the Opposition for supporting my appointment as Acting Chief Justice of Belize. It is an appointment which holds great historical significance to many for myriad reasons, including - to name a few - celebration of the fact that I am the very first female to hold this high judicial office in Belize. I am a black person of Garifuna ethnicity, one of the most marginalized ethnic groups who have been systematically oppressed in our society, and indeed the region. And, I am one of a small handful of native Belizeans who have ever been appointed as Chief Justice, in a long line of chief justices since 1843, including Sir Albert Staine, Sir George Brown, Sir Manuel Sosa, Hon. Justice Troadio Gonzalez, and Hon. Justice George Singh."
Several weeks ago, Justice of Appeal Minnet Hafiz-Bertram was appointed as Acting President of the Court of Appeal. She is also the first woman to hold that office.
