Belize Government Reaffirms Commitment to Maya Land Rights

Published by BBNTEAM at February 2, 2023

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Posted: Thursday, February 2, 2023. 4:26 pm CST.

By BBN Staff: The Belizean government has issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to abide by the terms of the Consent Order of the Caribbean Court of Justice and to implement a Maya Land Policy. The policy aims to protect the rights of the Maya people as recognized by the courts and address the concerns of all Belizeans, taking into consideration the comments made by Honourable Michael Espat.

The government does not agree with the manner in which Espat’s comments have been portrayed, but recognizes that they may have been driven by political and other motives.

Furthermore, the government publicly condemns any use of racist language and fear-mongering in discussions surrounding Maya land rights. It calls on Maya leader organizations to refrain from making alarmist statements that could harm the process.

A draft of the Maya Land Policy is currently at an advanced stage and is expected to be released soon. The policy will provide a framework for the government to implement the Consent Order while taking into consideration historical court proceedings, international human rights standards, and existing national policies.

Before the policy is adopted, it will undergo full consultation with the Maya people, their representatives, and the public. This will give all stakeholders an opportunity to contribute and is a crucial step in the compliance with the Consent Order of the Caribbean Court of Justice.

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