Posted: Thursday, August 8, 2024. 8:02 am CST.
By Horace Palacio: The Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, has expressed his support for abolishing the death penalty in the country. This comes as Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith and British attorney Parvais Jabbar of the Death Penalty Project advocate for its removal, citing the absence of executions in Belize for 40 years and no death sentences in the last 20 years.
Commissioner Williams agrees with their argument, noting the evolving jurisprudence makes it improbable for judges to impose the death penalty. He referenced the Captain Morgan case in Jamaica, which set a precedent now followed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), making it unlikely for Belize to carry out executions due to lengthy legal appeal processes.
“I don’t foresee Belize executing death sentences, as legal appeals would surpass the five-year mark, making executions cruel and inhumane as per the Privy Council’s ruling,” stated Williams.
While he personally opposes the death penalty, Williams believes the decision to abolish it rests with the Belize Parliament.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2024, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
The post Police Commissioner backs removal of death penalty appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, August 8, 2024. 8:02 am CST. By Horace Palacio: The Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, has expressed his support for abolishing the death penalty
The post Police Commissioner backs removal of death penalty appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
