PCC’s ‘Compilation of Recommendations’ Faces Criticism

After months of gathering input from over 6,690 Belizeans, the People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) is nearing the completion of its report, which includes 167 recommendations. The 129-page document, titled Compilation of PCC Recommendations, is the culmination of the PCC’s Public Outreach and Education Campaign that ran from June 2023 to May 2024.

The process has brought up mixed reactions from various stakeholder groups. Caleb Orozco, Executive Director of the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM), expressed strong concerns, stating, “These recommendations do not bring peace nor security or welcome all of us as full citizens of this country.” He further criticized the recommendations for “threatening women’s health and dignity, controlling young people’s freedom of expression, erasing the concerns of persons with diverse abilities, and centering white supremacy and white Christian nationalist views.”

The PCC, in its statement, pointed out the need for additional consultations and has provided stakeholders with a 30-day review period from March 26 to April 26, 2025.

The Commission has urged stakeholders to carefully review and evaluate the recommendations and submit official responses by April 30, 2025, to contribute to the final report.