Maya Communal Land rights that's what the Mayan communities of the Toledo have sued the Government of Belize for, and after protracted litigation, they were finally successful in 2015 at the Caribbean Court of Justice.
We've shown you the continued back and forth in the court to get from the principles of a consent order to an actual system that is recognized at the Lands Department. But, one Mayan Community has written to the Government to say that they don't want communal rights to be implemented on their land.
That's the village of Big Falls, and in a letter dated April 21, 2021, the Alcalde, Eulalio Choko, explains why. Choko opens by congratulating PUP's Dolores Balderamos-Garcia for becoming Belize's first Minister of Indigenous Affairs.
He then states, quote, " Big falls Village is not interested in holding their land based on customary land tenure. Our village, from the onset, decided it would not be [a] party to the Consent Order, yet we are being disenfranchised because of it." End quote.
Choko then explains that the villagers wish to continue with land tenure-ship under the existing legal framework. They want to continue paying their property taxes and the rental on their leases. They want to be able to renew their leases and have surveys done so that villagers can obtain leases or titles to their residential properties and farms.
Choko then notes that there is a need for the establishment of an official boundary between Big Falls, Indian Creek, and San Marcus. They are hoping that the Lands Department will be able to lead that process because the 3 villages have tried and failed to agree among themselves in the past.
Choko also notes that the Toledo Alcaldes Association and the Maya Leaders Alliance do not represent them in any matter related to land or otherwise. They are hoping that this letter will be formally presented to the CCJ at the next compliance hearing, which will take place 3 weeks from today.
