By Belize Live News Staff: Belize’s government is now in the strange position of suing… itself.
In a rare twist, the Briceño Administration has taken its own Ombudsman, Herman Swazo, to court after he ruled that the public had a right to know how much money was paid to major law firms in the controversial redistricting case.
The decision stems from a Freedom of Information request filed by Jeremy Enriquez, who wanted to know what the government paid firms like Courtenay Coye LLP and Marine Parade Law Chambers to defend the election boundaries. The Ombudsman agreed the public had a right to know, but rather than comply, the government filed an appeal to block the disclosure.
Enriquez criticized the government’s response, calling it “a deep and rabid fear of releasing information.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Briceño questioned whether the Ombudsman had such authority at all, saying, “That’s a matter for the courts.”
The standoff has now become a test of Belize’s Freedom of Information Act and whether transparency or political protection will prevail.
