Equal Opportunities Bill formally withdrawn

Published by BBN Staff at September 16, 2020

Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2020. 4:51 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: Minister of Human Development Anthony Martinez this afternoon formally withdrew the Equal Opportunities Bill, 2020.

The House of Representatives Standing Order Section 63 says of Withdrawal of Bills: “A Bill may be withdrawn by leave of the House or, as the case may be, of the Committee either – (a) before the commencement of Public Business; or (b) when any stage of the Bill is reached in the Order of Business, if before the Question is fully put, the mover so requests and there is no dissentient (sic) voice.”

In this case the Bill would have been introduced and likely sent to Committee for discussion.

But the various church organizations and others registered strong opposition and even threatened a protest at the National Assembly Building today, forcing Cabinet’s hand.

The Bill for an Act proposed to promote equal opportunities between persons of different status; to prevent and prohibit certain kinds of discrimination, including discrimination on the grounds of HIV-positive status; and establish an Equal Opportunities Commission and Equal Opportunities Tribunal.

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.