213 new Belizean Citizens from 26 countries were sworn in on Friday afternoon at the UB Gymnasium in Belmopan. Now, you might say it's right in time for the election, but the registration and transfer period closed on September 10th, so these new citizens won't get to vote this time around. But they did get a lesson in Civics from Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse. Here's what he said:..
Jules Vasquez reporting
After an anthem by new citizen Pablo Collado the new Belizeans took the oath of nationality and then received their nationality certificates - a group from varied backgrounds:
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"Americans, Argentineans, people from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, India, Italy, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Philippines, Salvador, Sierra Leone, Trinidad, Bolivia and the United Kingdom."
And while they came from all over - he urged them to adopt the official language:
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"You should have a good understanding of the English language and I say that, because it is the language of our laws, it's the language of commerce, business and it's our official government correspondence and you heard that we have many different nationalities. But can you imagine a country in which you can have 40-50 different languages? So we coalesce around the one common language which is the English language. You must pay your taxes and all other costs associated with the development of this country as mandated by law. There are no place in this country for tax dodgers. Freeloaders are not welcomed in this family. There is a little phrase you need to learn "all ah we da one." Join in and make your contribution too."
"We urge you to appreciate our religious diversity, be it Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Mennonite, Jehovah, Catholic. Please, we celebrate and honor our creator in different ways, but we do so with love and honor and dignity and harmony. Appreciate it and keep it that way."
Hulse also gave a disclaimer for Guatemalans:
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"While this country recognizes dual nationality, those of you who came from Guatemala, very unfortunately cannot retain Guatemalan nationality of any form. Our laws do not allow for the simple reason, there is an ongoing territorial dispute with the Republic of Guatemala and you have just sworn to uphold the territorial integrity of Belize. So, if you go back and reclaim Guatemalan documents by any form, these beautiful people will confiscate your Belizean documentation on return and you shall lose that beautiful Belizean citizenship."
Today opposition leader Francis Fonseca suggested that the swearing in was timed to coincide with the November fourth election. Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse confirmed that the new citizens cannot be on the new voters list since the cutoff date was 18 days ago. He says the timing of the swearing-in had nothing to do with elections since these events are held quarterly.
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