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Back in mid 2021, headlines were filled with new of the proposed 11th amendment to the constitution. It's the issue that eventually led to the discussion of a People's Constitution Committee, as a way to reform the entire constitution, rather than just make piecemeal amendments.
But this amendment in particular hit home for one member of the National Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition. That's because it would seek to disqualify a person as a member of the NA if they have served a sentence of imprisonment for more than twelve months, imposed by a court in or outside of Belize.
And Shyne Barrow, as you know, had spent almost a decade behind bars in the US.
But the outrage that accompanied this amendment forced it to be deferred, and the matter was to have been handled by the PCC. But last night, at 6:42, the members of the Constitution and Foreign Affairs House Committee received an email saying they would meet to further consider the amendment.
But why now, after two years? And, more importantly, is it a response to Barrow's no confidence motion which will be tabled tomorrow? That's what we asked the chair of the committee, Julius Espat.
Julius Espat, Chair, Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee
"This is the only constitutional amendment that was tabled in the House already, before the commission was even conceived. It is the responsibility of the Committee and we were inform by the House that we have to report back to the House. So we just called the committee as per the standing orders and as per the regulations and it will be taken back to the House to be ventilated, it's not that it's going to be approved. Tomorrow, there will be a debate, and the honorable will have an opportunity to express his side. And then after that, it goes to third reading, and then it will go to the Senate for additional ventilation and debate and then it will be decided what will happen with it. It's the normal process that our democracy allows us to do."
Reporter:
"The timing, though, seems a bit rushed, because the email went out yesterday evening, I believe, minutes to 7."
Julius Espat, Chair, Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee
"Well, I'm not a member of the administration at the National Assembly. We are just a part of the system and we were called as the chairperson and they said that it was important that the meeting be held and I therefore called the meeting."
Reporter:
"Isn't this amendment, though, an attack, well, it seems like an attack on the Leader of the Opposition?"
Julius Espat, Chair, Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee
"Well, assumptions can be made, the debate is there, the people will decide, it will be out there for everybody to discuss. That's what democracy is. We are not hiding it from anybody, we are not signing it behind closed doors, it is for the people of Belize to decide what caliber of leader they want to lead the country. It's not our decision to make."
Reporter:
"But the amendment itself, from the very beginning, seems like a fetter on democracy because even after Shyne did his time, the people still voted for him."
Julius Espat, Chair, Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee
"Garrison constituencies are not based on legitimate votes. Analyze that. You're dealing with a constituency of 800 people that have been manipulated for years, that's not democracy. That's my point of view."
Reporter:
"The same could be said for many other constituencies that voted for PUP. "
Julius Espat, Chair, Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee
"That's why we're going through a redistricting to hopefully solve that problem. We here are representatives of thousands of people so it is unfair on us to be able to deal with a situation when you have one or two seats that you get elected by 800, no, I think you get elected by 800 people that vote, and of that, maybe you get 200 and win an election. That has to be dealt with also and it will."
Reporter:
"Isn't it a little bit cowardly though that rather than face off against Mr Barrow-"
Julius Espat, Chair, Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee
"I would be careful to use that word. I would be careful to use that word, can you rephrase it please?"
Reporter:
"Mr Barrow feels as though the PUP would rather weaponize the constitution rather than face off with him at the ballots. "
Julius Espat, Chair, Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee
"Mr Barrow is nobody to fear. To me, he's a performer, I've said that in the House, outside the House, so you're asking the wrong person."
