Teachers protest over unpaid wages as the country approaches general elections

Introduction

Belize gears up for House of Representatives election

Belize will hold its 10th general election in March 2025, nine months before the constitutional deadline. The election is particularly critical, with rising gang-related crime and governance reforms dominating the political debate.

Peaceful Assembly

Thousands of teachers protest over unpaid wages

On 7th February 2025, thousands of teachers protested in the capital city of Belmopan to demand the payment of unpaid wages. Many schools remained closed as teachers gathered outside the George Price Centre, where the House of Representatives was in session. The protest underscored growing frustration among teachers, who were calling for urgent action from the government to address their labour concerns.

The protest was organised by the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), and followed a series of similar demonstrations held in September and December 2024.

Advocacy group protests school expulsions over hairstyles

In early December 2024, YaYa Marin-Coleman, the chairperson of the United Black Association for Development Educational Foundation (UEF), organised a four-day protest in response to the expulsion of at least three young students from school. The students were reportedly expelled on the grounds of their long-braided hairstyles, an issue that has raised significant concerns regarding racial and cultural discrimination within the country’s educational system.

The protest took place in front of the Ministry of Education district office in Belize City, where Marin-Coleman drew attention to the broader issue of discrimination faced by Belizean students. She noted the prevalence of such discriminatory practices, stating:

“All that we know is because they make news stories, or have lived and experienced discrimination that Belizean students face, going to preschool, primary school, high school, sixth form, university, tertiary level. From a quick online search, you have discrimination with Belizean students in all six districts – I think four towns and three villages in nine years.”

This protest builds on earlier demonstrations, including one held on 30th October 2024, which similarly highlighted concerns about systemic discrimination in educational settings.

Association

Belize accedes to landmark human rights treaty for older persons

On 16th December 2024, Belize deposited its instrument of accession to the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons, becoming the 12th State Party to commit to upholding the rights of older persons in the Americas.

The Convention, adopted by the Organisation of American States (OAS) in 2015, is the first legally binding treaty focused on the recognition and exercise of the human rights and freedoms of older persons. It requires State Parties to take measures to protect older citizens from discrimination, violence and neglect, while ensuring their rights to participate in society and community life. Notably, it includes provisions on political rights (Article 27), freedom of association and assembly (Article 28), and equal participation in society (Article 8).

Belize’s accession to the Convention marks a significant step forward in ensuring that older persons in the region live with dignity and respect.