Politics of Belize

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Belize

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Politics of Belize takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Belize. The party system is dominated by the People's United Party and the United Democratic Party. Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Jurisprudence is based on English common law.

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[edit] Executive branch

As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II is represented in Belize by a governor general who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet.

Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
Queen Elizabeth II 6 February 1952
Governor-General Sir Colville Norbert Young, Sr 17 November 1993
Prime Minister Dean Barrow UDP 8 February 2008

Belize is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy on the Westminster model and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and is represented in the country by Governor General Dr. Colville N. Young, Sr., a Belizean and Belize's second governor general. The primary executive organ of government is the Cabinet led by a Prime Minister (head of government). Cabinet Ministers are members of the majority political party in Parliament and usually hold elected seats in the National Assembly concurrently with their Cabinet positions.

[edit] Current Members of the Executive (February 2008)

[edit] Ministers

  • Dean Barrow, Finance
  • Gaspar Vega, Natural Resources, Environment
  • Erwin Contreras, Economic Development, Commerce, Industry and Consumer Protection
  • Carlos Perdomo, National Security
  • Patrick Faber, Education
  • Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Works
  • Pablo Marin, Health
  • Wilfred Elrington, Attorney General, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
  • Gabriel Martinez, Labour, Local Government and Rural Development
  • Melvin Hulse, Public Utilities, NEMO, Transport and Communications
  • Eden Martinez, Human Development and Social Transformation
  • Marcel Cardona, Youth, Sports and Culture
  • John Saldivar, Public Service, Governance Improvement and Elections and Boundaries
  • Manuel Heredia, Tourism and Civil Aviation
  • Rene Montero, Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Michael Finnegan, Housing and Urban Development

[edit] Ministers of State

  • Michael Hutchinson, Labour, Local Government and Rural Development
  • Elvin Penner, Natural Resources and the Environment
  • Edmond Castro, Works
  • Arturo Roches, Health
  • Juan Coy, Human Development

[edit] Legislative branch

Main article: Senate of Belize
Main article: House of Representatives of Belize

The National Assembly of Belize consists of a House of Representatives and a Senate. The 31 members of the House of Representatives are popularly elected to a maximum five-year term of office as of the 2008 general elections.

The Senate currently consists of 12 Senators plus the President of the Senate. The Senators are appointed by the Governor General as follows: six (6) on the advice of the Prime Minister, three (3) on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, one (1) member on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and the Evangelical Association of Churches, one (1) on the advice of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Business Bureau and one (1) on the advice of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and the Civil Society Steering Committee. The President of the Senate is then selected by the 12 Senators, either from amongst themselves or from the general populace. The President presides over the sessions of the Senate but ordinarily has no voice nor vote in the proceedings (as would an appointed Senator), except in the cases of the passing of bills (legislation) where he/she has a casting vote. Where the President is selected from amongst the twelve, the powers of Senator and President of the Senate are vested in this one person. Otherwise, the President has no powers as would ordinarily be vested in a Senator. Over the past few years, there has been much debate over whether the members of the Senate should be appointed or elected.

Unofficially, as of 8 February 2008, the Government of Belize is controlled by the United Democratic Party (UDP) which has a confirmed majority in the House of Representatives after general elections of 7 February 2008. The former government, the People's United Party (PUP) is now in Opposition, after having governed Belize from August 28, 1998 to 8 February 2008. The UDP previously governed Belize from June 30, 1993 to August 27, 1998; the PUP had governed from September 4, 1989- June 30, 1993; and the UDP from December 14, 1984-September 4, 1989. Before 1984, the PUP had dominated the electoral scene for more than 30 years and was the party in power when Belize became independent in 1981.

[edit] Political parties and elections

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Main article: Elections in Belize
For other political parties see List of political parties in Belize. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Belize.
e•d Summary of the 7 February 2008 Belizean House of Representatives election results
Parties Votes % Seats
United Democratic Party 66,203 56.61 25
People's United Party 47,624 40.72 6
National Reform Party 887 0.76 —
Vision Inspired by the People 874 0.75 —
National Belizean Alliance (including People's National Party) 506 0.43 —
Independents 71 0.06 —
National Reality Truth Creation Party 29 0.02 —
Total valid votes 116,194 100.00 31
Invalid votes 749
Total votes cast (turnout 74.49%) 116,943
Registered voters 157,993

[edit] Judicial branch

Members of the independent judiciary are appointed. The judicial system includes local magistrates grouped under the Magistrates' Court which hears less serious cases, the Supreme Court (Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh) which hears murder and similarly serious cases, and the Court of Appeal, which hears appeals from convicted individuals seeking to have their sentences overturned. Cases may under certain circumstances be appealed to the Privy Council in London. However, in 2001, Belize joined with most members of CARICOM to campaign for the establishment of a "Caribbean Court of Justice". The country is divided into six districts: Corozal District, Orange Walk District, Belize District, Cayo District, Stann Creek District, and Toledo District. The Supreme Court holds hearings from January to December of each year, starting in Belize City and then going to the districts; Magistrates' Court hears cases on most weekdays.

A special Family Court has been set up to hear cases regarding child maintenance, domestic violence and spousal abuse, and other similar cases. This court is located in downtown Belize City. A Quick Trial Court processes selected cases especially speedily.

[edit] Defence

The Belize Defence Force (BDF), established in January 1973, consists of a light infantry force of regulars and reservists along with small air and maritime wings. The BDF, currently under the command of Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett, assumed total defence responsibility from British Forces Belize (BFB) on January 1, 1994. The United Kingdom continues to maintain the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) to assist in the administration of the Belize Jungle School. The BDF receives military assistance from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Internal security is the domain of the Belize Police Department, currently staffed by about 1,200 police officers established in all six districts. The commissioner of police is Gerald Westby.

Drugs in Belize are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. However, other types of crime are becoming more commonplace, and the murder rate has increased, due to unsolved gang-related issues and the presence of drugs on the streets.

[edit] International organization participation

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