And while the Commissioner is pushing hard for the public to embrace the 13th amendment, the Association of Defence Attorneys has officially rejected it.
In a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, they say, quote, We are gravely concerned about the Bill's implications for constitutional democracy, the separation of powers, and the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Belize Constitution. We urge that this amendment not be passed in its current form, as it poses a direct threat to civil liberties, the rule of law, and judicial independence.
They add, "This proposed amendment was introduced without public consultation, contrary to the mandate of the ongoing Constitutional Reform Committee. The process violates the democratic principle of meaningful participation and transparency."
They conclude that The Bill in its current form, presents, quote, "a risk of entrenching unchecked executive discretion, weakening civil liberties, and diluting constitutional protections."
