By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belize is taking a major step toward creating a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) by expanding and strengthening the Office of the Ombudsman.
Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca signed the project document with Michael Lind, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Belize, officially launching the initiative.
Officials say the project marks an important step in strengthening Belize’s national human rights framework. It will give the Office of the Ombudsman a wider mandate, greater institutional capacity and the systems it needs to deal with human rights concerns more effectively.
The work will include legislative reviews, new policies and operating procedures, improved case management systems and community outreach. The goal is to create more accessible and responsive ways to protect the rights of all Belizeans, especially vulnerable groups.
The three year initiative is supported by a €400,000 contribution from the European Union and is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.
It will also lay the groundwork for the institution to comply with the Paris Principles, the internationally recognized standards for national human rights bodies.
The post Belize moves to establish National Human Rights Institution appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belize is taking a major step toward creating a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) by expanding and strengthening the Office of the Ombudsman. Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca signed the project document with Michael Lind, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Belize, officially launching the initiative. Officials say the project
The post Belize moves to establish National Human Rights Institution appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.