By Belize Live News Staff: Defence attorneys in Belize are warning that some police officers may be abusing the constitutional 48-hour detention limit by repeatedly arresting individuals without bringing formal charges.
The Association of Defence Attorneys says the alleged practice is particularly concerning in Belize City and San Ignacio, where its members have reported multiple incidents involving their clients.
Association Secretary Orson Elrington described a practice known as “cycling,” in which a person is detained for questioning about one suspected offence, released and then detained again for another.
According to Elrington, police have allegedly used this approach in investigations involving robbery, murder and suspected gang membership.
He argued that the Constitution’s 48-hour detention provision should not be interpreted as permission to hold someone arbitrarily.
Instead, Elrington said officers must have reasonable suspicion or information justifying the detention and should release individuals when there is no lawful reason to continue holding them.
The association believes repeated detention without proper justification could effectively amount to a form of preventive detention outside the safeguards ordinarily required by law.
The ADA is also concerned about allegations that detained individuals have been denied timely and private access to their attorneys.
In its appeal to senior government and police officials, the association requested investigations, disciplinary measures where appropriate and clear nationwide procedures protecting detainees’ constitutional rights.
The attorneys maintain that effective policing and respect for individual liberties must go hand in hand.
The allegations remain claims made by the association, and no official police response was included in the report.
