Posted: Friday, July 18, 2025. 8:56 am CST.
By Zoila Palma: Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton has publicly expressed why she opposes the proposed 13th Constitutional Amendment Bill.
“There is much on my mind this week, but nothing weighs heavier than the proposed 13th Amendment to the Constitution: a dangerous Bill that, if passed, will trample the fundamental rights and freedoms of every Belizean,” Panton said.
Panton explained that this amendment would give the Government “unchecked power to declare “special areas” where your constitutional rights—freedom of movement, assembly, privacy, and due process—can be suspended at will.”
In addition, Panton said that it would also “authorize warrantless searches, seizures, and arrests, without adequate safeguards or oversight.”
Panton also explained that this amendment would “retroactively legalize past States of Emergency and government actions, even when those actions were challenged in court, undermining judicial rulings and the principle of accountability and create a Gun and Gang Court with sweeping, extraordinary powers, operating under rules that weaken due process.”
Panton says that this opens the door for abuse, overreach, and the erosion of democracy itself.
“Public safety must be strengthened, but never at the expense of our Constitution, our freedoms, and the rule of law. We cannot sit back and we allow a government to strip away rights under the guise of “security”. We cannot, and should not, allow Belize to become a place where the government can suspend freedoms, retroactively excuse its actions, and bypass the courts whenever it chooses,” Panton expressed.
“Crime and violence remain out of control, not because Belizeans lack discipline, but because this government has failed to address the root causes: poverty, inequality, and the absence of real opportunities for our people,” Panton further stated.
The Leader of the Opposition says that she stands ready in the spirit of bi-partisanship and via a collaborative approach, to work with the Government and other Civil Society Partners to find meaningful solutions to the problem of crime.
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The post Leader of the Opposition says “No” to proposed 13th Constitutional Amendment Bill appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Friday, July 18, 2025. 8:56 am CST. By Zoila Palma: Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton has publicly expressed why she opposes the proposed 13th
The post Leader of the Opposition says “No” to proposed 13th Constitutional Amendment Bill appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
