Maya Land Rights Progress Delayed by Elections, CCJ Hears

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) held a virtual hearing on Monday to monitor the progress of the Maya Land Rights Consent Order, agreed upon by the Belize Government and the Maya Leaders Alliance in April 2015. The order requires the government to implement a mechanism to recognise the land rights of the indigenous Maya people. 

During Monday’s session, the parties provided updates on the delays caused by the recent elections. The lead government attorney, Andrew Marshalleck, stated that February’s dissolution of the National Assembly stalled the review of a draft of legislation intended for Cabinet.

He said, “The National Assembly was dissolved on the 11th of February, just days after the draft was presented to the Cabinet subcommittee. The result is that they have not looked at it and have not reverted. The general elections were held on March 12. A new minister responsible for Indigenous Peoples Affairs was appointed.”

Marshalleck added that although progress had been made, three deliverables remained unfulfilled. He stated that the new minister, Louis Zabaneh, was briefed on the issue, as he was not involved in previous Cabinet discussions.

The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs is also without a Chief Executive Officer. Marshalleck assured that the current CEO has been assisting in the transitional period as Zabaneh takes office.