7 News Belize

GOB: Hell No Will Won’t Go!
posted (April 29, 2016)

The Government of Belize has shut the door on the Sarstoon River tonight.  It did so by hastily signing into law a very unusual regulation – one which makes it illegal for civilians to go into the Sarstoon River for a whole month!  It’s a statutory instrument under section 2 of The Public Safety Act, signed and put into effect today by the Governor General. Of course, the law is all about stopping Wil Maheia and the Territorial Volunteers from going down the Sarstoon tomorrow.

Now, it’s the first time we have seen a law, which seeks to restrict the movement of citizens, outside of a curfew.  But here’s what it says: “regulations made by the Governor-General, being satisfied that a state of civil commotion which threatens the public safety is likely to arise within the area prescribed by these regulations.â€￾

And the area prescribed is the Sarstoon River.  The law says that for one month, quote, “No person shall…without lawful authority, enter into, move within, or exit form the prescribed area or any part thereof. Operate any vehicle or vessel within that area, carry out or threaten to carry out any act of intimidation violence or other disorderly conduct within the prescribed area.â€￾

And it’s not just words – there’s also a stiff fine.  How much? Two thousand dollars or a maximum prison sentence of 12 months!

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7 News Belize