But while they can recommend changes, the government did not introduce this bill out of idle-ness or bad mindedness. It's a part of the anti money laundering requirements which government is obligated to meet this year.
Usher explained that there is a raft of legislative measures which have to be passed for government to meet its obligations:
Cherisse Halsall:
"The issue is that these. Are a package of bills that have to be introduced and have to be passed in order for the next round of the CIFA TIF certification that is happening for Belize. I believe that is in December of this year and they are different legislations that are required to be passed, this is just one of them. It's not anything too difficult and I am sure that with some discussion parts of the bill can be explained."
Henry Charles Usher, Minister Of Public Service
"There is always a discussion between the relevant ministries and the different organizations. It also happens at the house committee where they can make presentations and like I said they have the opportunity to bring it up in the Senate."
Cherisse Halsall: "There have been some conversations, about the reasoning behind why these audits should be happening every year, what were some of the government's concerns about the way NPOs and NGOs run their financing?"
Henry Charles Usher, Minister Of Public Service
"Well, it wasn't in particular with those organizations, like I said it is a package of legislative measures that need to be passed. We live in a world where regulation is increased anti-money laundering is a serious matter that we have to take into account. We have to make sure we have laws in place. We have the proper regulatory agencies in a place like the FIU, the Central Bank of Belize and so on. So, it's not anything new. These have been in discussion and I don't see it as being anything controversial."
Cherisse Halsall:
"Finally Sir, they do say that they are concerned about privacy for certain sectors. Say it's an NGO. Protects survivors of domestic violence who are within the LGBTQ space. They say it's dangerous that through an audit that information could get out there, how do you respond?"
Henry Charles Usher, Minister Of Public Service "Anybody doing an audit there is confidentiality matters. If those issues come out for whatever reason there are legal implications to that so I wouldn't worry about that."
