Government
Anti-Corruption UNCAC agreement yet to be fully implemented in Belize
The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) was signed by the Government of Belize in December 2016 to reaffirm citizens of the Government’s commitment to fighting corruption in Belize.
Government
2020 brings another increase in Social Security Contribution Rates
Under the policy approved by the Government of Belize in June of 2019, the second phase in the reform will see the contribution rate increasing by 0.5% to 9% and the ceiling for insurable income go up from $440 to $480.
Government
2016 Ruling on Section 53 upheld by Court of Appeals
In a momentous ruling on Monday, December 30th, 2019, the Belize Court of Appeal upheld Chief Justice Honorable Kenneth Benjamin’s ruling which de-criminalized same sex intercourse under consent. The appeal case stemmed from Section 53 of the Belize Constitution, which stated that “Every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person or animal shall be liable to imprisonment for ten years.” Both the decisions by the Appeal Court and Honorable Benjamin’s original ruling from August 2016 state that Section 53 violates the constitutional rights of a person and as such “this section shall not apply to consensual sexual acts between adults in private."
Government
LIV Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA)
The representatives of the heads of state and government of Central American countries assembled in San Salvador, El Salvador for the LIV Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
Government
Belize Represented at IAEA Project Coordination Meeting
In coordination with International Atomic Energy (IAEA), Belize is attending the First Project Coordination Meeting for Improving Regional Testing Capabilities and Monitoring Programmes for Residues/Contaminants in Foods Using Nuclear/Isotopic and Complementary Techniques from December 16-21, 2019.
Business & Economy
Marco Gonzalez Maya Site, the only established National Park on a Belizean island, closed due to no GOB funding
According to Brown, who serves as the site manager, a meeting with the Government of Belize’s (GOB) Institute of Archaeology (IoA) in late June promised that they would finally include Marco Gonzalez in their national budget.
Government
Changes in the Pump Price of Fuel Products
The price for regular gasoline, kerosene and diesel will register increases as follows: Regular gasoline will increase by 1 cent from $10.05 to $10.06 per gallon; Kerosene will increase by 16 cents from $7.35 to $7.51 per gallon; Diesel will increase by 16 cents from $9.90 to $ 10.06 per gallon. The price for premium gasoline will remain unchanged at $10.74 per gallon.
Government
The Ministry of National Security Advises the Public about Appropriate Conduct Regarding the Belize National Forensic Science Service
The public is advised that the Belize National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) is a Government Department under the Ministry of National Security.