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Belize - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 31, November 12, 2018
Recommendations by Canada

Recommendations

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Thank you Mr. President.

Canada commends Belize for decriminalizing same-sex sexual activity and for its progress in the recognition and protection of Indigenous land rights. We encourage Belize to address resource shortfalls for human rights institutions, the high prevalence of human trafficking and violence against women, and despite recent improvements, ongoing complaints of excessive use of force by police.

Canada recommends that Belize:

1. Increase investments in institutions responsible for access to justice and human rights, including the Ombudsman’s office.
2. Intensify implementation of a multi-sectoral approach to eradicating domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, which includes appropriate training for law enforcement, educators, and medical personnel, as well as effective support and accountability for victims.
3. Strengthen measures to combat trafficking in persons by investigating and prosecuting those responsible, as well as adopting a protection-sensitive approach to victims.
4. Address the use of excessive force by law enforcement, including through training, effective investigations and appropriate disciplinary actions in cases of police brutality.

Canada welcomes Belize’s efforts to address corruption, including its ratification of the UN Convention against Corruption. We encourage Belize to continue in this vein by strengthening institutions and implementing its anti-corruption work plan.

Background

According to UPR Info, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that tracks the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, Belize has received 160 recommendations, of which 109 (68%) were accepted. Canada’s previous recommendations were related to the rights of women and children, gender identity and sexual orientation, minorities, and the justice system.

Belize has demonstrated commitment to addressing human rights concerns and has made important progress since its last UPR review. Major achievements include the August 2016 Supreme Court ruling decriminalizing same-sex sexual activity as well as major strides in the recognition and protection of Indigenous land rights.

Despite significant progress, important challenges remain. A major underlying concern is the weakness of Belize’s institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law. Chronic understaffing and inadequate resources hinder their capacity to ensure access to justice and respect for human rights.

Of particular concern, credible sources note human trafficking and violence against women, excessive use of police force, and persisting weak institutions which decrease the capacity of the State to address human rights concerns. Belize has made efforts to address corruption – including accessing to the UN Convention against Corruption in 2016 – but recent reports by observers indicate that the phenomenon remains widespread, thus directly diminishing State resources available to deliver basic services to the public.

Belize has one of the world’s highest rates of homicide. Authorities have struggled to address the violence linked to gangs and other criminal organizations. Complaints of excessive use of police force, harassment, arbitrary search and entry, and unlawful detention are prevalent according to Belize’s Ombudsman annual report for 2017. Despite a decline in complaints in recent years, the situation is troublesome and requires additional efforts.

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence and cases of sexual, domestic and gender-based violence in the country are believed to be under-reported. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Belize is a source, transit and destination country for sex trafficking and forced labour. The US Department of State Trafficking of Persons Report 2018 outlines significant concerns in Belize and ranks it as Tier 3 (lowest) in terms of efforts to eliminate trafficking.