Repression of peaceful protest in the Port of Belize Limited (PBL)

Peaceful Assembly

On 22nd July 2020, several people were injured when police repressed a peaceful protest at the Port of Belize Limited (PBL) in Belize City. The demonstration was organised by unionised workers to protest pay cuts and the dismissal of 36 employees. A representative of the Christian Workers Union claimed the company had handpicked the terminated employees, selecting mainly unionised workers and union leaders.

Workers were staging a sit-in on the PBL compound when mеmbеrѕ оf thе Gаng Ѕuррrеѕѕіоn Unіt intervened, using tеаr gаѕ аnd rubbеr bullеtѕ tо dіѕреrѕе thе сrоwd. Several people were reported injured, іnсludіng оnе whо wаѕ ѕhоt in thе hеаd with а rubbеr bullеt. Following the incident, key unions in Belize demonstrated to express solidarity with the Christian Workers Union and demand fair treatment for the dismissed workers. On 24th July 2020, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that police officers involved in the violence would face disciplinary measures.