And just in time for International Women's Day, the Briceño Administration has decided to grant Belizean Nora Parham a post-humous pardon in recognition of the injustice that happened during Belize's colonial days, back when the country was still known as British Honduras.
Historical accounts say that Parham, a mother of 8 who lived in Orange Walk, was tried by the colonial justice system, and she was found guilty of murder for the fatal burn injuries her common-law husband, Police Constable Ketchell Trapp, suffered.
In her defense, Parham told the court that her common-law regularly abused her. She admitted that she threw gasoline on Trap, but she testified that she did not light the fire which killed him. She asserted that he went to the latrine, attempted to light a cigarette, and ignited the blaze which killed him.
In April of 1963, an all-male jury found her guilty, and on June 5, 1963, she became the first woman to be executed in Belize. She was hanged for the crime of murder.
During the most recent House of Representatives meeting 5 weeks ago, the Human Development Minister, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, proposed the pardon during her universally supported House Motion against domestic violence.
Here's what she had to say:
Hon. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia - Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs
"The name Nora Parham is known in the sad history of this country from the early 1960's. I only want to say that it is known that little Nora Parham, 5 foot tall, a little East Indian lady was the victim of severe intimate partner violence and domestic violence at the hands of her police man partner. We know that her end was a sad and tragic one and a stain on our history of this country. I only want to put on record that perhaps it is time for the Nora Parham story to be told and written for posterity and for Belizeans to know that perhaps this honourable house one day soon will find it within ourselves to grant Miss Nora Parham a posthumous pardon. With that I don't believe that we should prolong."
Well, the topic came up during last Friday's Cabinet Meeting, and the Human Development Minister's colleagues have agreed with her proposal.
A press release from the Government today says, quote, "After discussion, Cabinet gave its full support for the proposal…for Nora Parham to be granted a posthumous pardon so as to correct a historic wrong in 1963. [The] cabinet is of the view that this will go a long way to focus attention on the issue of domestic violence. The Governor-General will be kindly requested to ask the Belize Advisory Council to so recommend." End quote.
