7 News Belize

Witnesses Won’t Have To Face Accusers
posted (May 13, 2011)
Another constitutional change will permit witnesses to remain anonymous, meaning they won't have to face the person they are accusing in court, and that they can provide testimony through sworn witness statements.

The PM said this measure is vital to ensuring successful prosecution in the current crime climate:…

PM Dean Barrow
"The question of anonymity of witnesses - that is really a huge step again, it is a traditional sacrosanct right that if you are accuse of something you should be able to face your accuser. You should be able to face anybody who is going to testify against you and so this is a fundamental change Mr. Speaker and we are well aware of that. But again we fool ourselves if we don't accept that witnesses don't come forward especially with respects to gang related shootings, gang related murders because they are told that if they say anything they too will be murdered and it has happen. It's not a matter of taking, it's not a matter of idle threats - it has happen and it has happen on several occasions."

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize