By Zoila Palma: The Government of Belize has taken a significant step toward improving immediate protections for survivors of domestic violence with the introduction of two key legislative amendments.
On November 20, 2025, the Justices of the Peace (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2025 were presented in the House of Representatives by Hon. Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Minister of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs. The reforms form a critical part of Belize’s survivor-centred commitments under the National Gender-Based Violence Action Plan (2024–2030).
In presenting the Bills, Minister Garcia-Ramirez highlighted the urgent challenges survivors face when attempting to access protective orders during nights, weekends, holidays, or emergencies.
These periods are often when victims are at greatest risk, yet legal systems do not always provide timely access to protection. She stressed that the current gaps can leave survivors exposed at moments when swift intervention is essential.
The proposed amendments address these vulnerabilities by allowing designated Select Senior Justices of the Peace to issue ex parte interim protection orders in exceptional situations.
These temporary, emergency measures—valid for up to 72 hours—would offer immediate safety until a magistrate can conduct a formal hearing. Minister Garcia-Ramirez emphasized that this mechanism is “not a replacement for the court, but a life-saving bridge that can make the difference between danger and safety.”
To ensure integrity and accountability, the Bills require strict selection criteria for Senior Justices of the Peace, including comprehensive vetting, training, and consultation with the Family Court and the Attorney General’s Ministry. Police stations will also be mandated to establish private spaces for victims seeking assistance, aligning with the Ministry’s broader push to strengthen dignity, confidentiality, and survivor-focused services across all frontline touchpoints.
The legislative effort is the product of collaborative work among the Ministry of Human Development, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Attorney General’s Ministry, the Family Court, and the Justices of the Peace Association. Complementary initiatives—including multi-sectoral GBV response protocols, the establishment of a one-stop support centre in Belize City, expanded training for police, and the activation of the national domestic violence hotline—continue to build momentum under the Ministry’s leadership.
As Belize enters the 16 Days of Activism, consultations will begin on a modernized Domestic Violence Bill slated for introduction in 2026, marking another step in strengthening the nation’s protective framework for survivors.
The post Government of Belize introduces key reforms to strengthen Domestic Violence protections appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The Government of Belize has taken a significant step toward improving immediate protections for survivors of domestic violence with the introduction of two key legislative amendments. On November 20, 2025, the Justices of the Peace (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2025 were presented in the House of Representatives
The post Government of Belize introduces key reforms to strengthen Domestic Violence protections appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.