By Belize Live News Staff: Public consultations on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution will officially begin this Wednesday, July 16, at Swift Hall in Belize City. The meeting is set to start at 10:00 a.m. and is open to the public.
Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa says the amendment isn’t new law, but a step to strengthen constitutional oversight on the declaration of special areas and states of emergency. The current law has existed since 1993, but Musa explained that both past and present governments have used it with limited checks and balances.
“The amendment introduces an added layer of protection,” Musa stated. “Now, instead of just the Prime Minister or the Commissioner of Police making that call, the entire National Security Council will need to sign off.”
The consultations come in response to concerns raised by opposition senator Sheena Pitts, who questioned whether the amendment could be misused to overextend government powers.
The Ministry says it’s committed to transparency and public participation in shaping the amendment’s final version.
