And turning back now to today's two hour long UDP press conference, the party reacted to Monday's Senate meeting where the leader of Government Business, Senator Eamon Courtenay mocked the opposition for, quote, "loving pedophiles." That was in response to the UDP wearing those "Who Teef Budna" t-shirts at Friday's house sitting.
Here's how the leader of the opposition responded today:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"The United Democratic Party supports the rule of law. There must be an independent investigation on what transpired with the beating, kidnaping and handing over of Mr. Joseph Budna to hostile territory. It is not, as some are promoting, that we are supporting a pedophile. In fact, let it be placed on record that I abhor pedophiles. This is an infringement on the rights and fundamental freedoms of our Belizean citizens. If it can happen to Mr. Budna, it can happen to anyone in this room. May I reiterate: It seems to me that the government has no intention, none whatsoever, on having a, convening, an independent investigation. They're hoping that we will be so distracted by the so many things that are coming through the pipeline"
"that we will lose sight of the requests for an independent investigation. If there is nothing to hide. If indeed the perpetrators of this heinous crime are roque members of the police department, then we must insist. We must insist that the perpetrators are held to account."
"The question remains who is the government protecting and why?"
"Let's not get distracted by the suggestion that the personality of Mr. Budna takes precedence in this matter. It is the blatant disregard for our Constitution. It is the blatant disregard for our sovereignty. It is the blatant disregard for the rights and fundamental freedoms of our citizens that warrant us to remain ever vigilant until justice prevails."
