Human Rights Commission Calls For Appointment of Visiting Justices
The Human Rights Commission of Belize expresses its extreme concern and regret over the violent events that took place at the Belize Central Prison on the 12th and 13th of October 2020.
The Commission is of the strong belief that the escapes and the resulting injuries and deaths could have been avoided if the Visiting Justices System was in place. The Commission strongly recommends the reinstatement and appointment of the Visiting Justices.
The Prison Act gives the Justices the right to have access to every part of the prison once each week and to hear and investigate any complaint which a prisoner may make to them. If the prisoners had this opportunity before the unfortunate incidents of the 12th and 13th October recommendations could have been made which could have avoided the tragic events.
The Commission urges the Minister responsible for Prisons in the New Administration to make this a priority and one of his first actions.
————-END————–
Contact Person – President HRCB, Leo Bradley 610-3624 or
Cynthia Pitts, Vice-President 623-4571