By Zoila Palma: Following the arrest and charge of former UDP Chairman Alberto August over the weekend in San Ignacio, UDP stalwarts including Alfonso Noble, John Saldivar and others have taken on the controversial social media post that landed him the cybercrime charge.
UDP Deputy Leader Hugo Patt called August’s detention “political victimization”.
“Today, Belizeans should be deeply concerned, not because of a social media post, but rather that a citizen of this country has been politically imprisoned after criticizing a government minister. Whether one agrees with Alberto August’s comments or not is entirely beside the point. In a free and democratic Belize, citizens have ever right enshrined in our constitutional to express his/her opinions, criticize public officials, question government’s actions, and engage in political commentary without fear of intimidation, detention, or retaliation. With being elected to public office, comes a high level of public scrutiny,” Patt said.
UDP Leader Tracy Panton also condemned August’s detention saying that it violates his constitutional rights.
“Chapter 4, Part II of the Belize Constitution clearly and unequivocally protects the fundamental rights and freedoms of every Belizean citizen.
Freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, protection from arbitrary search and entry, equal protection under the law, due process, natural justice, and the right to legal representation are not privileges granted by the State. They are sacred constitutional protections that must be respected, defended, and never violated,” Panton explained.
August is expected to answer to a cybercrime charge in the Magistrate’s Court today.
The post UDP’s take on Alberto August’s “In Oscar Mira’s deepest voice” post appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Following the arrest and charge of former UDP Chairman Alberto August over the weekend in San Ignacio, UDP stalwarts including Alfonso Noble, John Saldivar and others have taken on the controversial social media post that landed him the cybercrime charge. UDP Deputy Leader Hugo Patt called August’s detention “political victimization”. “Today, Belizeans
The post UDP’s take on Alberto August’s “In Oscar Mira’s deepest voice” post appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.