Government moves to protect Belize’s National Symbols under new law

Published by [email protected] at February 8, 2025

Posted: Saturday, February 8, 2025. 7:16 am CST.

By Horace Palacio: A new bill introduced in the House of Representatives on Friday aims to protect, standardize, and regulate the use of Belize’s national symbols, ensuring their proper representation and legal protection.

The National Symbols Bill 2025 will grant copyright ownership of Belize’s national icons to the state in perpetuity, covering symbols such as the national flag, coat of arms, black orchid, tapir, mahogany tree, keel-billed toucan, national anthem, and national prayer.

Minister of Culture, Francis Fonseca, explained that the bill addresses a major gap in Belizean law, where there are currently no restrictions on how national symbols can be used or modified. The bill will establish official design ratios, colors, and lyrics to maintain authenticity and prevent misrepresentation.

“The government cannot currently prevent unauthorized use or misrepresentation of our national coat of arms and flag. This bill creates a legal framework to ensure that Belize’s national identity remains intact and respected,” Fonseca stated.

While the bill requires businesses using national symbols for commercial purposes to obtain a one-time license, Minister Fonseca reassured the public that there will be no fees or limitations on personal, artistic, or creative uses of these symbols.

A key enforcement provision of the bill includes penalties for defacing the national flag or coat of arms, with offenders facing fines of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for one year.

The National Symbols Bill is currently under review and is expected to pass through all legislative stages before becoming law. The government urges Belizeans to embrace this initiative as a step toward preserving the nation’s cultural and historical identity.

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