Parliamentarians should protect the rights of all Belizeans

May 21st, 2019 | By Senator Valerie Woods, member of the Senate of Belize and member of the Board of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA)

For the first time ever, during the last Universal Periodic Review cycle (December 2018) conducted by peer States at the United Nations Human Rights Council, the government of Belize accepted recommendations on sexual orientation and gender identity. Among these are to “adopt specific legislation aimed at eradicating, punishing and preventing all forms of discrimination, violence or abuse against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity” and to “guarantee the rights of everyone to equal protection under the law, in conformity with Belize’s international commitments.”

One of Belize’s hallmark victories on human rights is the decriminalization of same sex. This was due in large part to the courageous effort of Caleb Orozco. Over the past three years, progress in awareness of the LGBT community in Belize and the inequality they are subjected to each day has been made possible due to the tireless efforts of the many Belizean LGBT organizations such as Our Circle, UNIBAM, Promoting Empowerment Through Awareness For Les/Bi Women – PETAL and TIA among others, activists and their allies. Parliamentarians are obligated to support, listen and to act.

On May 18^th and 19^th I was in Bogota, Colombia to participate in the 4th LGBTI Political Leaders of the Americas Conference. The theme for this year was Democracy Demands Equality. It was an honor to be asked to speak on a panel with other parliamentarians about “Working with Allied Politicians in the Caribbean.”

On May 17^th, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), I marked the day this year by being at the conference with parliamentarians and LGBTI activists discussing stigma and discrimination.

It is time for actions to speak louder than words. The time has come for the House of Representatives and the Senate to actively engage in discussions that bring to fruition legislative reform upholding the rights of all Belizeans, including our marginalized populations such as our LGBT communities, people living with HIV/Aids, among others. Those recommendations that Belize accepted in December 2018 must now be worked on for implementation.

As parliamentarians here are some actions we can take:

• Analyze, discuss and foster bipartisan dialogue on a comprehensive anti-discrimination bill that includes race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, health status or other grounds against discrimination. It is anticipated that a draft bill will reach the National Assembly later this year.

• In tandem with the initiative above, assess our legal framework to ensure Belize is compliant with our international human rights commitments. For example, evaluate drafting a hate crime bill to prevent, prosecute and punish prejudice-motivated crimes. These crimes take place when someone targets another person or persons because of their membership in a certain social group or race. Belize has no law in this regard.

• Establish regular meetings, or communicate regularly, with LGBT activists to learn about their priorities and to coordinate actions during meaningful dates (such as IDAHOT, celebrated on May 17) to raise awareness about their rights within Parliament and with the public at large.

• Call on the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health and Education and the Attorney General, among others, to inquire about the existence of policies and programs that prevent discrimination and stigma.

Parliamentarians should protect the rights of all Belizeans. We have an opportunity to bring meaningful change. Let’s not waste it.