Belize Peace Movement demands independent Commission of Inquiry into BDF helicopter crash

Published by BBN Staff at March 2, 2020

Tags

Posted: Monday, March 2, 2020. 1:16 pm CST.

By BBN Staff: In the aftermath of the tragic helicopter crash that killed four Belize Defense Force (BDF) soldiers, the Belize Peace Movement (BPM) is calling on the Government of Belize (GOB) to launch an independent Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The BPM said today that GOB should establish the commission forthwith and that is should be a group of three, lead by a Judge of the Supreme Court, with the other two members being a retired officer of the BDF and either a pilot or aircraft mechanic.

The BPM also said that the terms of reference for the commission should empower it to be able to conduct all its hearings in public, subpoena all necessary records and documents, summon any witness it deems necessary, and take sworn evidence under oath.

“The BPM has no confidence that the investigations ordered by the Ministry of National Security will be impartial, thorough and without political influence. The BPM is fortified in this view by the press conference held by the Ministry of National Security which was dominated by the Minister and his CEO,” the BPM said.

The group said that the press conference left more questions than answers and that it does not believe that the investigative mechanism put forward by the Ministry would allow for the complete, balanced, and transparent inquiry into what has been deemed as a national disaster.

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 mаrkеtі[email protected]еаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-601-0315.