标签： Belize

A Nicaraguan refugee, Eric Omar Hernández Cruz, has come forward with allegations of being scammed and threatened in Belize, prompting a response from the Human Rights Commission of Belize (HRCB). Cruz claims he paid $500 to two men for ‘amnesty documents’ and later faced life-threatening intimidation. HRCB has clarified the roles of the accused individuals, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability. One of the men was an administrative assistant for HRCB, terminated due to budgetary cuts, while the other worked with Help for Progress and was also dismissed. HRCB stated it was informed of the allegations by UNHCR in June 2025, though the initial report was received in March. Cruz reported the threats to the police, suspecting the two men were behind them. HRCB noted this is the first instance of such allegations involving asylum seekers. The case remains under investigation, with further updates expected.

Belize played a pivotal role in the 20th American Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organization (ILO), held in the Dominican Republic from October 1 to 3, 2025. The gathering, which brought together over 300 delegates from governments, businesses, and labor organizations, centered on promoting decent work, social justice, and inclusive development across the Americas. Belize’s delegation, led by Minister Florencio Marin Jr., CEO Valentino Shal, and Labour Commissioner Rissela Dominguez-Patt, actively participated in the discussions. Representing employers was Kim Aikman from the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while Ella Waight from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize advocated for workers’ rights. The meeting culminated in the Punta Cana Declaration, a regional commitment to fostering democracy, peace, and decent work. The outcomes are expected to shape Belize’s Decent Work Country Programme for 2024 to 2029, potentially enhancing job opportunities, workplace safety, and labor policy decision-making for Belizeans.

The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) launched its annual celebration of Caribbean Statistics Day and Statistics Week 2025 with an engaging exhibition at the University of Belize Gymnasium. The event, held on October 15, brought together students, government ministries, statutory bodies, and partner organizations to demonstrate the pivotal role of data in shaping national policies and development strategies. Primary school students from the Cayo District participated actively, gaining insights into how statistics narrate Belize’s growth and challenges. This year’s theme, ‘Improving Lives Through Statistics: Strengthening and Innovating Together,’ underscores the importance of data in fostering a more inclusive and resilient Belize. The week-long celebration, running from October 14 to 17, features a series of activities designed to enhance data literacy, transparency, and innovation. The festivities will culminate with SIB’s annual Data Users Conference on October 17 at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, where key reports from the 2022 Population and Housing Census, including the Migration Report and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report, will be officially released.

Belize played a pivotal role at the 20th American Regional Meeting (AmRM) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), held from October 1 to 3, 2025, in Punta Cana. The event, themed ‘Advancing Decent Work, Social Justice, and Inclusive Development,’ brought together over 300 delegates from across the Americas, including government officials, employers, and workers’ representatives. The Belize delegation was led by Hon. Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government, alongside key figures such as Mr. Valentino Shal, CEO, and Ms. Rissela Dominguez-Patt, Labour Commissioner. Representing employers was Ms. Kim Aikman, CEO of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), while Ms. Ella Waight, President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), advocated for workers’ interests. The tripartite meeting focused on addressing critical labor issues, including job creation, social protection, and the transition from informal to formal employment. Delegates concluded the event by adopting the Punta Cana Declaration, a landmark commitment to promoting democracy, peace, and decent work. The declaration aligns with the ILO’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and the Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to tackle challenges such as inequality, informality, and climate-related employment shifts.

A Belizean woman from Independence Village, Sherene Garbutt, is preparing to take legal action against the Lands Department after discovering that a 22-acre parcel of land she was in the process of acquiring was sold to another party. Garbutt had obtained official permission to survey the land in May 2022, completed the survey in August 2022, and applied for a lease, only to learn earlier this year that the land had been sold to someone else. She claims that the survey she paid for was used to issue the title to the new owner. The Ministry of Natural Resources offered Garbutt $6,500 to cover her survey costs in exchange for signing an agreement to prevent future lawsuits, but she refused, demanding either the original land or a comparable parcel in the same area. Garbutt asserts that this incident represents a blatant breach of due process and undermines her legitimate expectations. The Lands Department has acknowledged the case but maintains that completing a survey and applying for a lease does not guarantee ownership. Garbutt’s legal battle highlights systemic issues in land administration and raises concerns about transparency and fairness in property transactions.