Tag:
Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries
Community and Society
National Forensic Science Services receives regional recognition
The National Forensic Science Service (NFFS) achieved regional recognition on January 4, 2024, by having four International Association for Identification (IAI) Certified Crime Scene Investigators employed as staff members in the Scenes of Crime Unit, making Belize the only country in Central America and the Caribbean to have that many Crime Scene Investigators certified by IAI. The IAI is the world's oldest and largest professional body for forensic science practitioners.
Community and Society
Firearms and Ammunition Control Board appointed
The inaugural meeting of the Firearms and Ammunition Control Board was held on Thursday, January 4th. The Board comprises the Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries Chief Executive Officer, Sharole Carr-Saldivar, Magistrate Mannon Dennison, and Senrio Superintendent of Police Clement Cacho. The appointment of this Board came after the amendment to the Firearms Act, Chapter 143 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, which seeks to revolutionize, reform, and regulate the sale, purchase, importation, exportation, trans-shipment, disposal, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in Belize.
Crime
Belize ends 2023 with the lowest murder rate in years
While the last weekend of 2023 resulted in two additional deaths related to gun violence, one considered a possible act of self-defense, the total murder count for the year was 85, the lowest for Belize since 2005, dropping Belize’s murder rate per 100,000 residents to 19.1. The reduction in violent crime is considered very positive for the country’s public safety efforts, as the murder rate in recent years has been over 100 per year.
Government
Prison Information Management System Launched in Support of Citizen Security in Belize
On October 25, 2023, a ceremony to mark the launch of the Prison Information Management System (PIMS) was held at the Belize Central Prison, Kolbe Foundation in Belize.
Government
USAID-Funded InfoSegura Project Continues to Support Citizen Security in Belize
Continuing America’s efforts to support improvements in Belize’s citizen security, U.S. Embassy Acting Political and Economic Chief Sydney Skov and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Belize Deputy Resident Representative Ian King donated Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries Hon. Kareem Musa on December 1, 2022.
Business & Economy
Marijuana referendum postponement may extend due to banking concerns
The postponement of the marijuana referendum on whether to legalize the production and sale of this drug may take a bit longer due to the threat of losing affiliated financial institutions in the United States of America (USA). The banking sector in Belize may present a roadblock to the Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Control and Licensing Bill 2022, which has already been passed in the National Assembly.
Government
Belize to hold referendum on legalization of marijuana; Ambergris Caye residents weigh in on the matter
While there is no set date yet, the Council of Churches has been able to trigger a referendum exercise on whether to legalize cannabis/marijuana in Belize. They managed to get the request approved through petitions by meeting the required 10% threshold, which equals 20,000 signatures. Belizeans will now be asked if they agree with legalizing the production and sale of marijuana. The topic has generated mixed opinions nationwide, particularly in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye.
Community and Society
Launch of the Joint Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Programme
Hon. Florencio Marin, Jr., Minister of National Defence and Border Security, and Hon. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, in conjunction with the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, launched the Joint Sexual Violence Prevention and Response (JSVPR) Programme for the security forces. The launch of the JSVPR was held at the Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City on 17 February 2022 and will support the Belize Police Department, the Belize Defence Force, and the Belize Coast Guard.
