2012 Annual Report

The Office of the Ombudsman, Belize
2012
THE TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OMBUDSMAN OF BELIZE
2012 Annual Report Pa e 1
Truly a Haven of Democracy
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT O BU!" AN

THE THE
OF
P#e$a#ed fo# la%in& befo#e the "enate of Belize and the House of Re$#esentati'es $u#suant to "ection ()*(+ of the Ombudsman Act, No, - of .//0
TABLE OF !ONTENTS
O BU!" AN1" 4O PLA5NT "U "PE45AL REPORT" 5NFOR AL 4O PLA5NT" FEE!BA46 HOW TO A6E A 4O PLA5NT E""A2E AR5E" 3 / .( .0 .7 .3 ../
4O PLA5NT PRO4E"" O BU!" AN A4T THE UN58ER"AL !E4LARAT5ON OF HU AN R52HT" ./)0 HU AN R52HT" TREAT5E" AN! BEL59E "TAFF AN! OPEN5N2 HOUR" APPEN!5: ; "TAT5"T54" (( (0 (7
2012 Annual Report Pa e "

The Office of the Ombudsman 91 Freetown Road Belize City Central America Tel: 5 1!""#!#59$ % 5 1!""#!#19& Fa': 5 1!""#!##19& (mail: ombudsman)btl*net +"5th February, " 1#-
Ref: #%ARO.B%" 1#
/on* .arco 0ech 0resident of the 1enate 2ational Assembly Belmo3an 4ear .r* 0resident, I have the honour to present the Ombudsmans Annual Report which covers the period of January 1, 2012 to ecember !1, 2012" #he report is submitted in accordance with $ection 2%&2' of the Ombudsman Act, (h" ) of the *aws, which states+ , The Ombudsman shall submit to the National Assembly an annual report relating generally to the execution of his functions.
Res3ectfully,
5555555555555555555 6ionel Arzu, .1c* +Ombudsman of Belize-
2012 Annual Report Pa e #

The Office of the Ombudsman 91 Freetown Road Belize City Central America Tel: 5 1!""#!#59$ % 5 1!""#!#19& Fa': 5 1!""#!##19& (mail: ombudsman)btl*net +"5th February, " 1#-
Ref: $%ARO.B%" 1#
/on* .i7e 0eyreffite 13ea7er of the /ouse of Re3resentati8es The 2ational Assembly Belmo3an 4ear .r* 13ea7er, I have the honour to present the Ombudsmans Annual Report which covers the period of January 1 2012 to ecember !1 2012" #he report is submitted in accordance with $ection 2%&2' of the Ombudsman Act, (h" ) of the *aws, which states+ , The Ombudsman shall submit to the National Assembly an annual report relating generally to the execution of his functions. Res3ectfully,
555555555555555555555 6ionel Arzu, .1c* +Ombudsman of Belize-
2012 Annual Report Pa e $
OMBUDSMAN%S MESSA&E
-very year the Ombudsman uses this opportunity to convey the .oals and aspirations of the Office for the reportin. period" Apart from commentin. on the statistical data for the reportin. period, the Ombudsman ta/es the opportunity to comment on matters he believes are relevant to the mana.ement of his office and matters of public importance" #he year 2012 has been challen.in. at the Office of the Ombudsman because there was no substantively appointed Ombudsman for one calendar year" Althou.h 0r" Ian 1ray performed the duties of the Ombudsman durin. that period, he had no ostensible authority to do so and subse2uently support and public perception dwindled" 3evertheless, it is because of 0r" 1rays unwaverin. commitment to duty that the office was able to function in the interim until the new Ombudsman was appointed" All the statistics we herein report are fruits from 0r" 1rays hard wor/ and dedication durin. the twelve months that he performed the duties of the Ombudsman with support from 0s" #rina *i4ama and 0r" (larence $lusher Jr" I ta/e this opportunity to than/ 0r" Ian 1ray for the leadership he provided and to commend the dedication and support of 0s" *i4ama and 0r" $lusher durin. the interim period at the Ombudsman Office" I loo/ forward to a better period of wor/ in 201! and reassure the public that the Office is bac/ on trac/ and is ready and able to serve you dili.ently"
L'onel Ar(u) MS*+ ,O-.u/0-an 1or Bel'(e2
Su--ar45 2012 !o-pla'nt0

This %ea#, as <ith e'e#% %ea#, <e ha'e o'e#come &#eat challen&es, With onl% a s=eletal staff the Office of the Ombudsman continues to ha'e an im$act th#ou&h the e>e#cise of its mandate, We ha'e endea'ou#ed to $#o'ide ?ustice, the $#omotion of human #i&hts and &ood &o'e#nance in the ho$e of a mo#e com$assionate societ%@ Ou# office #ecei'ed b% lette#, fa>, e;mail, tele$hone and in $e#son@
Total !o-pla'nt0 16"
Fo#mal 4ases
/-
5nfo#mal 4ases
4ases closed
((
A<aitin& #es$onse f#om autho#it%
A7
4ases unde# in'esti&ation
POLI!E DEPARTMENT !a0e 30# A 4a%o !ist#ict #esident made a com$laint at the Office of the Ombudsman that cente#ed on alle&ations of To#tu#e and B#utalit% b% Office#s f#om the "an 5&nacio To<n Police Fo#mation, The 4om$lainant alle&ed that the Office# 4ommandin& the "an 5&nacio To<n Police, "u$t, ood% and othe# office#s beat and to#tu#ed he# son <hilst he <as in thei# custod%, The alle&ation of To#tu#e stemmed f#om the claim that "u$t, ood% stated that edico Le&al Fo#mB the com$lainant claims he
he $#o'ided the detainee <ith a <as ne'e# allo<ed this #i&ht, !a0e $6$
A Belize !ist#ict #esident made a com$laint at the Office of the Ombudsman that cente#ed on alle&ations of To#tu#e and B#utalit% b% Office#s f#om the Lad%'ille Police Fo#mation, 4om$lainant claimed that a $olice "e#&eant allo<ed a $#i'ate citizen to beat him at the Police "tation <hile unde# $olice custod%, Anothe# 4om$lainant claimed that $olice office#s ille&all% confiscated his $#o$e#t% and <ilfull% #efused to #etu#n it e'en afte# he $#o'ided $#oof of o<ne#shi$, The#e ha'e been man% com$laints of this natu#e about the Lad%'ille Police, !a0e 306 A Belize !ist#ict #esident made a com$laint at the Office of the Ombudsman that cente#ed on alle&ations of Ne&li&ence and alicious P#osecution because he <as a##ested and cha#&ed fo# A&&#a'ated Assault <ith a Fi#ea#m, He claimed that his a##est <as due to mista=en identit%, The 'ictim late# 'isited the Office of the Ombudsman to ma=e a statement that she belie'ed she <as a##ested in e##o#, The cha#&es <e#e ne'e# <ithd#a<n b% $olice, The $olice office# <as <#itten to on se'e#al occasions and failed to #e$l% on the matte#,

!a0e 3#$ A Belize !ist#ict #esident made a com$laint at the Office of the Ombudsman that <as cente#ed on alle&ations of Attem$ted u#de# b% Office#s f#om the "tann 4#ee= Police Fo#mation, The 4om$lainant alle&es that in Cune, (D.( a Police 4onstable he =ne< and othe#s a$$#oached him at the !an&#i&a To<n Bus "tation and in'ited him to the !an&#i&a To<n Police "tation alle&edl% to discuss matte#s #e&a#din& an incident <ith anothe# Office# he alle&edl% assaulted, The 4om$lainant claims he coo$e#ated <ith the #eEuest until the% attem$ted to $h%sicall% abuse him <hen he fled, He sa< the Office# =no<n to him <ithd#a< his fi#ea#m and fi#e fou# shots at him as he fled, !a0e 311 A Belize !ist#ict #esident made a com$laint at the Office of the Ombudsman that cente#ed on alle&ations of Abuse of Po<e# and W#on&ful A##est b% an Office# of the A!U attached to the O#an&e Wal= Police Fo#mation, Afte# in'esti&ations b% O#an&e Wal= Police the Office# <as subseEuentl% a##ested and cha#&ed, !a0e 3"3 A 4a%o !ist#ict #esident made a com$laint at the Office of the Ombudsman that cente#ed on alle&ations of Police Refusal to se#'e cou#t summons b% an Office# of the "an 5&nacio Police Fo#mation, The P#otection O#de# <as subseEuentl% se#'ed afte# se'e#al $hone calls and <#itten #eEuests <e#e made, !a0e $6" A fo#ei&n national #eti#in& in Belize filed a com$laint to the Office of the Ombudsman in #e&a#d to a Belize 5mmi&#ation Office#, The com$laint <as that u$on an attem$t to ente# Belize 'ia 2uatemala at the BenEue 8ie?o Weste#n Bo#de# 4#ossin&, a $a#ticula# named 5mmi&#ation Office# confiscated his 4anadian $ass$o#t but &a'e neithe# #eason no# #ecei$t, This action caused the failu#e of a multi;million dolla# business deal and his t#a'ellin& abilit%, The matte# <as b#ou&ht to the attention of the 4,E,O, in the inist#% of National "ecu#it%, The case <as then fo#<a#ded to the Office of the P#ime iniste# <hich b#ou&ht about the #esolution,

For 1urt9er Pol'*e 0tat'0t'*0 plea0e *on0ult Appen/':
Spe*'al Report0
STREET &AN& ; <IOLATION OF HUMAN RI&HTS The#e a#e as man% as a dozen st#eet &an&s that o$e#ate in Belize 4it%, Belize, <hich hosts a $o$ulation of a$$#o>imatel% one hund#ed thousand $e#sons, The com$lainants <e#e membe#s of o# associates of a Belize 4it% "outh "ide st#eet &an& =no<n as the Ta%lo#1s Alle% 2an&, The% sou&ht the assistance of the Ombudsman1s Office on the ((nd a#ch, (D.( afte# the% alle&ed that a team of Police Office#s accosted, assaulted and b#utalized them fo# no a$$a#ent #eason, The com$lainants <e#e f#ust#ated and unsu#e ho< thei# claim <ould be handled since the#e <as much unce#taint% as the% had lod&ed nume#ous com$laints o'e# the %ea#s and had #ecei'ed 'e#% limited o# no satisfaction, The fou#teen com$lainants alle&ed that althou&h the% su##ende#ed and full% coo$e#ated at the #eEuest of the Police Office#s, the% <e#e ne'e#theless beaten me#cilessl%, The abused &an& membe#s included t<o females, Acco#din& to the com$lainants, on the (.st a#ch, (D.( at about .D@DD $m, thi#t% to thi#t%;fi'e combined membe#s of the Belize Police !e$a#tment *"$ecial B#anchB 2an& "u$$#ession Unit *2"U+B Anti;!#u& Unit *A!U++ and the Belize !efence Fo#ce *B!F+, a ?oint s$ecial mission <as launched to cu#tail the co'e#t o$e#ations of all st#eet &an& acti'ities afte# se'e#al innocent citizens <e#e shot and =illed in the st#eets of Belize 4it%, The Fs$ecial o$e#ation1 lasted fo# a$$#o>imatel% one hou#, F#om the ((nd a#ch, (D.(, the com$lainants be&an to submit thei# <#itten com$laints to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Police 5nte#nal Affai#s !i'ision *5A!+ no< P#ofessional "tanda#d B#anch *P"B+, To su$$o#t thei# claims, the% submitted e'idence such as Le&al edico Fo#ms, :;Ra%s and <#itten medical $#o&nosis of the bu#ns, b#uises, lace#ations, f#actu#es and dislocations inflicted at the hands of the ?oint tas= fo#ce, The e%e<itnesses1 #e$o#ts ch#onicled that the com$lainants of the Ta%lo#1s Alle% 2an& <e#e made to lie do<n on thei# stomachs in a ci#cle befo#e the administ#ation of the $unishment stated, Attestations b% e%e<itnesses and &an& membe#s claimed that about si>teen Police Office#s $a#tici$ated in the assault, The B!F membe#s <ho <e#e a $a#t of the o$e#ation onl% $#o'ided co'e# and $#otection fo# the Police, The#e <e#e no #e$o#ted alle&ations a&ainst the B!F Office#s, The to#tu#e, batte#% and assault of the detained $e#sons <e#e a$$lied <ith =ic=s, $unches, lashed <ith batons and flashli&hts, stun &uns, cold <ate# and stic=s,

Fu#the#, the inhumane t#eatment came b% <a% of stoc=;$ilin& the 'ictims on to$ of each othe# <ith a 'ie< to cause cho=in& *e>siccation+, The then iniste# of Police, Hon, Cohn "aldi'a#, th#ou&h the 4hief E>ecuti'e Office# *4EO+ of the inist#% of Police, 4ol, 2eo#&e Lo'ell, #eEuested that a t#ibunal be held, Assistance <as sou&ht f#om the Offices of the Ombudsman, The Police Le&al Office, and a #eti#ed Police 4ommissione#, The t#ibunal consisted of #, 5an 2#a% f#om the Office of the Ombudsman, #s, !onelle Ha<=e, a Public P#osecuto# f#om the Police Le&al Office, and #, Hu&hin&ton Williams, a fo#me# Belize 4ommissione# of Police, The th#ee benche#s hea#d testimonies f#om the &an& membe#s and thei# associates fo# the fi#st fou# da%s of the hea#in&s, Fo# the follo<in& fou# da%s, the t#ibunal listened to submissions and e'idence f#om the membe#s of the 'a#ious Police units, Afte# hea#in& testimonies and c#oss e>aminations, the th#ee benche#s #etu#ned to the scene of locus *Ta%lo#1s Alle% and su##oundin& a#eas+ <he#e the acti'ities occu##ed in o#de# to &et bette# 'isual $e#s$ecti'es of the location, The findin&s of the t#ibunal <e#e submitted to the inist#% of Police on the 0 th A$#il, (D.(, in <hich it <as found that the acts and omissions of the ?oint $olice o$e#ations <e#e e>cessi'e and un?ustified in its natu#e, The <#on&doe#s <e#e sentenced b% the inist#% of Police to the follo<in&@
., Those <ho <ilfull% committed the <#on&s <e#e #ecommended to be mo'ed f#om the s$ecialized unitsB (, Fu#the# t#ainin& in la< and $#ocedu#e fo# s$ecialized unitsB and A, Tho#ou&h #e'ie< of the c#ite#ia fo# membe#s of s$ecialized units <ould be conducted, The t#ibunal found that conductin& the hea#in&s and d#a<in& a conclusion amounted to a difficult balancin& e>e#cise since the $ublic inte#est <as =e$t in mind, 4onside#ation <as $laced on both $a#ties, 5f the Police <e#e not $enalized and allo<ed to continue thei# #ec=less manne#, it <ould ne&ati'el% im$act on $ublic $e#ce$tion and thus $ublic confidence <ould be lost, 4on'e#sel%, if the decision came do<n on the side of the 2an& embe#s, it <ould &i'e the im$#ession to them that thei# acti'ities <e#e acce$table, The balance <as not to &#ant total a$$#o'al to eithe# $a#t%, but to st#i=e a delicate medium and #esto#e $ublic confidence, Ou# Police Office#s a#e <o#=in& ha#d unde# e>t#eme conditions and it <ould dam$en thei# s$i#its if the% <e#e not offe#ed some encou#a&ement des$ite the Ta%lo#1s Alle% incident, "ince the decision of 0 th

A$#il, (D.(, the#e has been no fu#the# com$laints lod&ed at ou# office b% the Ta%lo#1s Alle% 2an& embe#s o# thei# associates, 5n the <o#ds of the le&enda#% B#itish Le&al Academic, Lo#d !ennin&, the #oles, let not justice appear to be done, but let justice be done. aste# of
In1or-al !o-pla'nt0
A Belize 4it% #esident 'isited the Ombudsman1s Office to obtain a lette# of &#atuit% fo# his deceased son1s estate@ i. He needed the letter of gratuity in order for the letters of Administration of Estate to be granted. ii. The Legal Officer of the day rote and obtained a copy of the letter of gratuity. iii. The matter as considered closed. A Belize 4it% #esident 'isited the Ombudsman1s Office to com$lain that althou&h an o#de# fo# the collection of a##ea#s <as issued a&ainst the com$lainant1s e>;common;la<, the Bailiff <as not ma=in& sufficient effo#t to a$$#ehend him@ i. ii. The then Legal Officer contacted the !irector of the "amily #ourt ho assisted in ha$ing the committal arrant ser$ed. The matter as considered closed.
A Belize 4it% #esident com$lained that he# son <as <#on&full% cha#&ed <ith a&&#a'ated assault, "he su&&ested the !PP should d#o$ the cha#&es because of the lac= of F$#ima facie1 e'idence@ i. The Legal Officer at the time called the !%% ho later rote and stated she ould not be inclined to drop the charges because of the seriousness of the nature of the offense. The complainant as informed they ould need to retain the ser$ices of an attorney. The matter as considered closed.
ii. iii.

Anothe# Belize 4it% #esident 'isited the Ombudsman1s Office to com$lain that althou&h an o#de# fo# the collection of a##ea#s <as issued a&ainst the com$lainant1s husband, the Bailiff <as not ma=in& sufficient effo#t to a$$#ehend him@ iii. i$. The then Legal Officer contacted the !irector of the "amily #ourt ho assisted in ha$ing the committal arrant ser$ed. The matter as considered closed.
A Belize 4it% <oman 'isited the office of the Ombudsman com$lainant that social <o#=e#s <e#e not bein& fai# to he# and <as $#e?udicin& he# in #e&a#ds to $#oducin& a fai# #e$o#t of he# bac=;&#ound chec= and that this <as affectin& $#oceedin& ne&ati'el% at the Famil% 4ou#t@ i. ii. iii. i$. The Legal Officer of the time called the !irector ho decided to ha$e the #ourts o n in$estigator do an e$aluation. The e$aluation !epartment. as consistent ith that of the Human &er$ices
The complainant as informed of the findings. #omplainant as ad$ised that if she as not satisfied ith the decision of the court, that she had a right to appeal to the &upreme #ourt of 'eli(e. The matter as considered closed.
$.
A Belize 4it% #esident 'isited the Ombudsman1s Office to com$lain that he# son <as bein& th#eatened b% a "u$e#intendent <ho 'isited the $#ison@ i. The Legal Officer of the time called the #EO and &uperintendent of the 'eli(e #entral %rison )*olbe "oundation+ ho confirmed that the &uperintendent did $isit on the day in ,uestion. There as no e$idence ho e$er to pro$e the threat as made nor as there any forthcoming itnesses. The matter as brought to the attention of the then #ommissioner ho agreed to assist in monitoring the de$elopments.
ii. iii.
2012 Annual Report Pa e 1"

i$. $. The #EO and &uperintendent of the %rison also agreed to assist in monitoring the de$elopments. The matter as considered closed for the time being.
Fee/.a*=
F#om time to time $eo$le <#ite to the Office of the Ombudsman to e>$#ess thei# &#atitude fo# the hel$ $#o'ided, Amon& the co##es$ondences <e #ecei'ed in (D.( <e#e the follo<in& $ositi'e comments@
-. ant to sincerely than/ you for the time you spent...0 -. hereby than/ the Office of the Ombudsman... 1ay 2od continue to bless your office.0 -3our professionalism and concern is greatly appreciated.0 -Than/ you again for loo/ing into this matter and ta/ing the time to hear about this truly unbelie$able matter.0 -. am hea$enly than/ful for your help...0 -%lease continue and than/s for your help...my daughter ill be happy hen she gets the good ne s...0
2012 Annual Report Pa e 1#
The Office of the Ombudsman, Belize The Ombudsman and his staff a#e al<a%s $leased to #ecei'e feedbac= f#om an%one <ho has sou&ht the assistance of the office, "end an email to ombudsmanGbtl,net o# <#ite to us at /. F#eeto<n Road, Belize 4it%, Belize !ist#ict
2012 Annual Report Pa e 1$
Ho> to Ma=e a !o-pla'nt to t9e O-.u/0-an

Befo#e ma=in& a com$laint to us, ha'e %ou al#ead% contacted the &o'e#nment de$a#tment o# autho#it% to com$lainH Please note that <e do not usuall% in'esti&ate com$laints if %ou ha'e not #aised the com$laint <ith the de$a#tment o# autho#it% fi#st, Ho<e'e#, if %ou feel %ou ha'e a &ood #eason not to contact the autho#it% fi#st then $lease call us on 22"? "$8# @ 22"?"186 to discuss, Be1ore 4ou *onta*t u0 plea0e tr4 to >r'te /o>n all o1 4our *o--un'*at'on0 >'t9 t9e /epart-ent or aut9or't4B such as lette#s, tele$hone con'e#sations and meetin&s, Please also #eco#d dates, the sub?ect of the communications and the names and contact details of the $eo$le <ho %ou dealt <ith, T9ere are 0eAeral >a40 to -a=e a *o-pla'nt5 Wr'tten *o-pla'nt0 I do<nload ou# <#itten com$laint fo#m f#om ou# <ebsite ; htt$@JJ<<<,ombudsman,&o',bz+ Once %ou ha'e com$leted it %ou can eithe# e; mail it to ombudsmanGbtl,net o# $ost it to us at /. F#eeto<n Road, Belize 4it%, Telep9one I call us on ((A;A7/0 o# ((A;A./) du#in& office hou#s */@DDam to 7@DD$m, onda% to F#ida%+, Wal=?'n0 I'isit ou# office du#in& office hou#s to ma=e %ou# com$laint in $e#son, To a'oid <aitin&, <e #ecommend that %ou contact us fi#st to a##an&e an a$$ointment,
!o-pla'nt Pro*e00
Wr'tten@Oral *o-pla'nt re*e'Ae/ .4 O-.u/0-an Ombudsman #e'ie<s com$laint, dete#mines if matte# can be in'esti&ated and, if so, th#ou&h <hich office the com$laint should be handled, De*'/e0 to InAe0t' ate De*'/e0 not to 'nAe0t' ate
Lette# <#itten to Autho#it%
E>$lanation <#itten to 4om$lainant
Not'*e o1 'nAe0t' at'on 0ent to Depart-ent or or an'0at'on *on*erne/+ Re$o#t and info#mation #ecei'ed f#om !e$a#tment o# o#&anisation, ate#ial assessed b% in'esti&atin& office# and Ombudsman as info#mation is obtained, ProA'0'onal A'e> 1or-e/ .4 t9e O-.u/0-an+ !o-pla'nt '0 0u0ta'ne/+ !o-pla'nt '0 not 0u0ta'ne/+
!e$a#tment o# o#&anisation ad'ised and in'ited to comment on findin&s,
4om$lainant ad'ised and in'ited to comment on findin&s,
!o--ent0 re*e'Ae/ an/ *on0'/ere/ .4 t9e O-.u/0-an+ T9e O-.u/0-an 1or-0 a 1'nal op'n'on on t9e *o-pla'nt an/ a/A'0e0 t9e *o-pla'nant an/ t9e Depart-ent or Or an'0at'on *on*erne/+
T9e O-.u/0-an A*t

The Ombudsman1s autho#it% to in'esti&ate com$laints is detailed in the Ombudsman Act, The le&islation allo<s the Ombudsman to $#oduce annual #e$o#ts and s$ecial #e$o#ts a'ailable to the $ublic, The full te>t of the Act can be found at@ htt$@JJ<<<,belizela<,o#&Jla<adminJP!FK(DfilesJca$DD7,$df, 5t states the follo<in& in #e&a#ds to the $o<e#s of the Ombudsman, Namel% that the Ombudsman@ Se*t'on 2 shall #e&a#d Lautho#it%M as meanin& a inist#%, de$a#tment o# a&enc% of 2o'e#nment, the Belize Police !e$a#tment, a 4it% o# To<n 4ouncil o# an% othe# statuto#% bod%, Se*t'on # <ill se#'e te#ms lastin& th#ee %ea#s, Se*t'on 12
ma% in'esti&ate <he#e he has #easonable cause to belie'e that an autho#it% has been &uilt% of co##u$tion o# <#on&doin& o# an% $e#son ma% ha'e sustained in?ustice, in?u#% o# abuse as a #esult of an% action ta=en b% an autho#it%, shall not be $#ecluded f#om in'esti&atin& an% matte# <he#e it is o$en to the com$lainant to a$$l% to the "u$#eme 4ou#t fo# #ed#ess fo# cont#a'ention of $#o'isions fo# the $#otection of fundamental #i&hts and f#eedoms, Se*t'on 1" ma% in'esti&ate on his o<n initiati'e o# on a com$laint made to him, Se*t'on 1# ma% hea# com$laints made b% an% $e#son o# bod% of $e#sons but com$laints made b% an autho#it%, Se*t'on 1$ ma% #efuse to unde#ta=e an in'esti&ation if he belie'es ; the com$laint is t#i'ial ; the com$laint is f#i'olous ; the com$lainant has been defe##ed fo# too lon&

; the com$lainant lac= sufficient inte#est ; no in'esti&ation is necessa#% Se*t'on 17 ma% ado$t <hate'e# $#ocedu#e he conside#s a$$#o$#iate and ma% obtain info#mation f#om such $e#sons and in such manne#, and ma% ma=e such enEui#ies as he thin=s fit, Se*t'on 16 ma% #eEui#e an% office# o# membe# of a $ublic autho#it% to fu#nish and $#oduce an% document in #elation to the in'esti&ation of an% matte#, Se*t'on 20 ma% ente# an% $#emises occu$ied b% an% autho#it% in o#de# to ins$ect an% document o# #eco#d the#ein in #es$ect of an% matte# unde# in'esti&ation, Se*t'on 21 shall info#m the $#inci$al office# of the autho#it% conce#ned of the #esult of his in'esti&ation and, if necessa#%, his #ecommendations fo# action to be ta=en b% that autho#it%, Se*t'on 2$ shall #e&a#d as sec#et and confidential all documents, info#mation and thin&s disclosed to them in e>ecution of an% of the $#o'isions of this Act, Se*t'on 28 shall, <hen in'esti&atin& a com$laint, #eco#d in a #e&iste#@ ; the name of the com$lainant ; the sub?ect matte# and date of the com$laint ; the Ombudsman1s decision #es$ectin& the com$laint Se*t'on "0 E'e#% $e#son <ho <ilfull% cont#a'enes section .0, ma=es an% false statement to the Ombudsman o# <ho obst#ucts, hinde#s o# #esists the Ombudsman shall be &uilt% of an offence and liable to summa#% con'iction,
Un'te/ Nat'on%0 Un'Aer0al De*larat'on o1 Hu-an R' 9t0 18#6 ,UDHR2

The #i&hts and f#eedoms ensh#ined in the Belize 4onstitution a#e simila# in man% #es$ects to the #i&hts uni'e#sall% #eco&nised in the UN1s ./0) !ecla#ation of Human Ri&hts, Belize is bound b% the !ecla#ation as a embe# "tate of the United Nations, The te>t of the U!HR can be found on the UN Website@ 9ttp5@@>>>+un+or @en@/o*u-ent0@u/9r@ 5n o#de# to inc#ease a<a#eness of Human Ri&hts in e'e#%da% societ% the te>t has been #e$licated and condensed belo<@ Art'*le 1 Art'*le 2 Art'*le " Art'*le # Art'*le $ Art'*le 3 Art'*le 7 Art'*le 6 Art'*le 8 E'e#%one is bo#n f#ee and eEual in di&nit% and #i&hts, E'e#%one is entitled to all the #i&hts and f#eedoms in this !ecla#ation E'e#%one has the #i&ht to life, No one shall be held in sla'e#% o# se#'itude, No one shall be sub?ected to to#tu#e o# to c#uel, inhuman o# de&#adin& t#eatment o# $unishment, E'e#%one has the #i&ht to be t#eated eEuall% b% the la<, All a#e eEual befo#e the la< and a#e entitled <ithout an% disc#imination to eEual $#otection of the la<, E'e#%one has the #i&ht to as= fo# le&al hel$ <hen thei# #i&hts a#e not #es$ected, No one shall be sub?ected to a#bit#a#% a##est, detention o# e>ile,
Art'*le 10 E'e#%one is entitled in full eEualit% to a fai# and $ublic hea#in& b% an inde$endent and im$a#tial t#ibunal,

Art'*le 11 E'e#%one has the #i&ht to be $#esumed innocent until $#o'en &uilt%, Art'*le 12 No one shall ha'e thei# $#i'ac%, famil%, home o# co##es$ondence a#bit#a#il% inte#fe#ed <ith, Art'*le 1" E'e#%one has the #i&ht to f#eedom of mo'ement and #esidence <ithin the bo#de#s of each state and the #i&ht to lea'e an% count#%, includin& his o<n, and to #etu#n to his count#%, Art'*le 1# E'e#%one has the #i&ht to see= and to en?o% in othe# count#ies as%lum f#om $e#secution, Art'*le 1$ E'e#%one has the #i&ht to a nationalit%, Art'*le 13 en and <omen ha'e the #i&ht to ma##% and found a famil%,
Art'*le 17 E'e#%one has the #i&ht to o<n $#o$e#t% and $ossessions, Art'*le 16 E'e#%one has the #i&ht to f#eedom of thou&ht, conscience and #eli&ion, Art'*le 18 E'e#%one has the #i&ht to f#eedom of o$inion and e>$#ession, Art'*le 20 E'e#%one has the #i&ht to assembl% and association, Art'*le 21 E'e#%one has the #i&ht to ta=e $a#t in the &o'e#nment of his count#%, di#ectl% o# th#ou&h f#eel% chosen #e$#esentati'es, Art'*le 22 E'e#%one has the #i&ht to social secu#it% and is entitled to economic, social and cultu#al #i&hts, Art'*le 2" E'e#%one has the #i&ht to <o#=, the #i&ht to eEual $a% fo# eEual <o#= and the #i&ht to a decent income and <o#=in& conditions, E'e#%one also has the #i&ht to fo#m and to ?oin t#ade unions, Art'*le 2# E'e#%one has the #i&ht to #est and leisu#e, Art'*le 2$ E'e#%one has the #i&ht to a standa#d of li'in& adeEuate fo# the health and <ell;bein& of himself and of his famil%, includin& food, clothin&, housin& and medical ca#e and necessa#% social se#'ices, Art'*le 23 E'e#%one has the #i&ht to education, Education shall be f#ee, at least in the elementa#% and fundamental sta&es,

Art'*le 27 E'e#%one has the #i&ht f#eel% to $a#tici$ate in the cultu#al life of the communit%, to en?o% the a#ts and to sha#e in scientific ad'ancement and its benefits, Art'*le 26 E'e#%one is entitled to a social and inte#national o#de# in <hich the #i&hts and f#eedoms set fo#th in this !ecla#ation can be full% #ealized, Art'*le 28 E'e#%one has duties to the communit% in <hich alone the f#ee and full de'elo$ment of his $e#sonalit% is $ossible, Art'*le "0 Nothin& in this !ecla#ation ma% be inte#$#eted as im$l%in& fo# an% "tate, &#ou$ o# $e#son an% #i&ht to en&a&e in an% acti'it% o# to $e#fo#m an% act aimed at the dest#uction of an% of the #i&hts and f#eedoms set fo#th he#ein,
Hu-an R' 9t0 Treat'e0 an/ Bel'(e

5n addition to bein& bound b% the UN !ecla#ation, Belize has eithe# si&ned o# #atified a numbe# of othe# T#eaties, These te>ts a#e listed belo< in o#de# of #atification o# si&natu#e and a#e also a'ailable on the UN Website &i'en abo'e, 17t9 Mar*9 18635 4567 #on$ention against Torture and Other #ruel, .nhuman or !egrading Treatment or %unishment *4AT+ Brat'1'e/C 4565 #on$ention on the 8ights of the #hild *4R4+ 4595 #on$ention on the Elimination of All "orms of !iscrimination against :omen *4E!AW+ Brat'1'e/C Agreement establishing the "und for the !e$elopment of the .ndigenous %eoples of Latin America and the #aribbean Brat'1'e/C 45;; .nternational #o$enant on #i$il and %olitical 8ights *544PR+ Brat'1'e/C 45;; .nternational #o$enant on Economic, &ocial and #ultural 8ights *54E"4R+ B0' ne/C 45;; .nternational #on$ention on the Elimination of 8acial !iscrimination *54ER!+ Brat'1'e/C 455< .nternational #on$ention on the %rotection of the 8ights of All 1igrant :or/ers and 1embers of their "amilies *4 W+ Brat'1'e/C 4555 Optional %rotocol to #on$ention on the Elimination of All "orms of !iscrimination against :omen *OP;4E!AW+ Brat'1'e/C =<<< Optional %rotocol to the #on$ention on the 8ights of the #hild on the .n$ol$ement of #hildren in Armed #onflict *OPA4+ Brat'1'e/C
2n/ Ma4 18805 Brat'1'e/C 13t9 Ma4 18805 10t Fe.ruar4 18835
10t9 Dune 18835 3t9 Septe-.er 20005 1#t9 NoAe-.er 20015 1#t9 NoAe-.er 20015
8t9 De*e-.er 20025
10t De*e-.er 200"5
2012 Annual Report Pa e 2"

10t De*e-.er 200"5 8t9 Ma4 20115 =<<< Optional %rotocol to the #on$ention on the 8ights of the #hild on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography *OP"4+ Brat'1'e/C =<<; #on$ention on the 8ights of %ersons ith !isabilities Brat'1'e/C
The#e a#e also a numbe# of human #i&hts t#eaties Belize has %et to si&n o# #atif% that a#e &i'en belo< in o#de# that the% <e#e o$ened fo# si&natu#e b% the UN@ 13t9 De*e-.er 18335 23t9 NoAe-.er 18365 Optional %rotocol to the .nternational #o$enant on #i$il and %olitical 8ights #on$ention on the non>applicability of statutory limitations to ar crimes and crimes against humanity? &econd Optional %rotocol to the .nternational #o$enant on #i$il and %olitical 8ights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty Optional %rotocol to the #on$ention against Torture and Other #ruel, .nhuman or !egrading Treatment or %unishment Optional %rotocol to the #on$ention on the 8ights of %ersons ith !isabilities Optional %rotocol to the .nternational #o$enant on Economic, &ocial and #ultural 8ights
1$t9 De*e-.er 18685
16t9 De*e-.er 20025
1"t9 De*e-.er 20035 10t9 De*e-.er 20065
5t is su&&ested that iniste#s should $ush fo# the #atification of the t#eaties abo'e in o#de# to continue to fu#the# Belize1s #e$utation as a bastion of #i&hts $#otection, Fu#the#mo#e, it is also su&&ested that Belize full% #atif% the 5nte#national 4o'enant of Economic "ocial and 4ultu#al Ri&hts *54E"R+, Once it has been #atified and im$lemented into Belizean la<, citizens <ill be able to full% benefit f#om its $#otection,
2012 Annual Report Pa e 2#

NThis t#eat% deals s$ecificall% <ith matte#s of humanita#ian la<, <hich is a se$a#ate but #elated matte#
to human #i&hts la<, 5n $a#ticula# it deals <ith issues su##oundin& the acti'ities of the a#med fo#ces du#in& inte#nal and inte#state a#med conflicts
STAFF
OMBUDSMAN LE&AL OFFI!ER IN<ESTI&ATOR ,<OLUNTARE2 SE!RETARE <a*ant Mr+ Ian &ra4 Mr+ !laren*e D+ Slu09er) Dr+ M'00+ Tr'na L'(a-a
5n o#de# to su$$lement ou# small staff <e attem$ted to de'elo$ #elationshi$s <ith othe# 'olunta#% o#&anizations, Amon& the most successful <as the #elationshi$ that de'elo$ed <ith 4hallen&es Wo#ld<ide, a Non;P#ofit O#&anization based in Edinbu#&h, "cotland, The% sent se'e#al 'oluntee#s <ith a bac=&#ound in la< to the office fo# $e#iods of at least th#ee months, Thei# hel$ <as 'e#% much a$$#eciated, Also, ou# a$$#eciation &oes out to ou# "ec#eta#% <ho <o#=ed ti#elessl% accountin& fo# the hi&hl% $#i'ile&ed documents and items and &oin& be%ond the call of dut% to account fo# such thin&s, to #, 5an 2#a%, the $#e'ious Le&al Office# fo# =ee$in& the functions of the office &oin& and ou# o<n 'olunta#% 5n'esti&ato#, <ho im$#essi'el% built *$#o&#ammed+ ou# <ebsite ane<, inte#$#eted com$laints f#om "$anish;s$ea=in& com$lainants, ca##ied out the com$ute# technician1s #ole f#eel% and assisted us in settin& u$ ou# Faceboo= account@ O-.u/0-an !onta*t Deta'l05 htt$@JJ<<<,faceboo=,comJOPJ$#ofile,$h$HidQ.DDDDAA)()./)0A, Tel5 22"?"$8# or 22"?"186 Fa:5 22"?"186 E-a'l5 o-.u/0-anF.tl+net MONDAE ; FRIDAE
2012 Annual Report Pa e 2$
6500 a+-+ ; 12500 p+-+ 1500 p+-+ ; $500 p+-+
Appen/': ? Stat'0t'*0 !o-pla'nt0 .4 Depart-ent ; Total5 87
Re0olut'on o1 !o-pla'nt0
Pol'*e !a0e05 ,Total5 $#2

B4 Su.Ge*t5 Of the 70 $olice cases the la#&est numbe# of com$laints <as in #elation to $olice b#utalit%, These ma=e u$ almost .JA of all of the com$laints #ecei'ed b% ou# office in #elation to the $olice, Of the cases, less than .DK ha'e been #e$lied to at the time of this <#itin&, These <e#e almost enti#el% in #elation to the cha#&es of im$#o$#iet% and b#utalit%, B4 Repl'e0 Re*e'Ae/5 5n #e&a#ds to the #e$lies that ou# office did #ecei'e the#e <as little co##elation if an% bet<een <hen the o#i&inal com$laint <as sent and <hen ou# office #ecei'ed a #e$l%, Fe< dealt <ith the issues that had been #aised,

Com3laints .inistry or 4e3artment or Authority Pol'*e Depart-ent Lan/0 Depart-ent Fa-'l4 !ourt Ma '0trate0% !ourt M'n'0tr4 o1 Tran0port In0uran*e Ele*t'on0 H Boun/ar'e0 Iol.e Foun/at'on Hu-an DeAelop-ent Supre-e !ourt So*'al Se*ur't4 Healt9 Ma '0tra*4 Bel'(e Port Aut9or't4 M'n'0tr4 o1 Natural Re0our*e0 BTL I--' rat'on S'0ter !e*'l'a Ho-e Bar o1 A00o*'at'on In*o-e Ta: Bel'(e De1en*e For*e E/u*at'on Un*la00'1'e/ Closed Awaitin9 Res3onse :n8esti9ation On9oin9
$# $ " " 1 1 1 # 1 1 1 # " 1 $ 1 # 1 0 1 2 " #
1" 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2
22 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 1 1
" 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012 Annual Report Pa e "0

2012 Annual Report

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The Office of the Ombudsman, Belize

THE TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OMBUDSMAN OF BELIZE