Association
Government’s proposed changes on Maya customary land policy would limit Indigenous rights
On 8th December 2023, the Belizean government introduced amendments to the draft Maya customary land policy that would significantly impact Maya communities in southern Belize. The proposed policy would reduce customary village lands to a one-kilometre circular area for smaller villages and a two or three-kilometre radius for larger ones.
It also proposed that Maya land may not be recognised in lands now comprising public highways or where national parks were established. Additionally, Maya villages seeking land outside these areas must prove 30 years of continuous possession. These measures appear to undermine previously resolved land rights issues and may be seen as an attempt to re-litigate settled matters.
According to Cultural Survival, a global organisation on Indigenous rights, “These metrics would be devastating for the lives and livelihoods of the Maya communities whose lifeways and livelihoods are intimately connected to their lands, as it excludes farmlands, hunting and gathering grounds, other areas with important resources, areas of spiritual importance, as well as some residential areas.”
As reported by the international organisation Minority Rights Groups, the Q’eqchi and Mopan Maya have long fought for their land rights, beginning in the early 1990s when the government granted concessions on their lands without consultation. After extensive legal battles, the Belize Supreme Court and the Caribbean Court of Justice upheld the Maya’s land rights. Despite this, the government has reportedly attempted to evade these rulings and continues to grant concessions, such as to US Capital Energy.
The approval of the draft policy could enable companies to operate on Maya lands without their consent, sparking solid objections from local organisations. The Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs has called for dialogue on the draft policy, which had been criticised by the Toledo Alcaldes Association and the Maya Leaders Alliance.
In 2015, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) affirmed the rights of the Maya People in southern Belize to the lands that they have customarily used and occupied in a landmark land rights case Maya Leaders Alliance, et al v The Attorney General of Belize. #FPIC pic.twitter.com/IDgtHBhTGR
— Cultural Survival (@CSORG) February 6, 2024
Belize urged to strengthen protections for human rights defenders in UN review
In January and February 2024, the UN Human Rights Council reviewed Belize during the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR is a UN process that reviews the human rights records of all member states.
Notably, the country received a recommendation to strengthen the protection of human rights defenders.
The human rights record of #Belize was reviewed on 29 January 2024 for the fourth time by the @UN🇺🇳 Universal Periodic Review mechanism.
— United Nations Human Rights Council (@UN_HRC) February 1, 2024
61 states participated in the review.
Belize received 166 recommendations.
Watch 🇧🇿#UPR45⤵️ https://t.co/baIarTSzKW
Peaceful Assembly
Sugarcane farmers block key highway in protest over disputed commercial agreement
On 2nd January 2024, sugarcane farmers in Corozal District blocked a section of the Philip Goldson Highway related to grievances over contract terms and payment disputes. The highway connects Belize City through Orange Walk Town and Corozal Town with the Mexican border at Quintana Roo. This action followed failed negotiations between the farmers and the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) over a commercial agreement.
The conflict revolves around the BSCFA rejecting BSI’s three-year agreement and demanding a one-year interim agreement. Minister of Agriculture Abelardo Mai and the Police Commissioner intervened, seeking to de-escalate the situation. No incidents were reported.