Will the Government of Belize appeal the Chief Justice's landmark decision on section 53 of the criminal code? Six days ago the CJ ruled that it was unconstitutional to discriminate against homosexuals and re-worded the section to say it "shall not apply to consensual sexual acts between adults in private." Yesterday, you heard Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber suggest that the matter should be put to a referendum, while former Attorney General Wilfred Elrington told PLUS TV that he thinks the government should appeal it:...
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Former Attorney General
"Some sections of the public are not happy with the decision and I think that we should do all in powers to ventilate the matter as widely as possible, so that nobody can say or have any criticisms of the government."
Well, tomorrow Prime Minister Dean Barrow will announce government's official position on the judgment. He will do so at a press conference at the Biltmore Plaza at 2:30 pm. Our sources say that the Government will NOT appeal the judgment - which will surely be to the dismay of many Christian critics of the Chief Justice's decision.
And Opposition Leader John Briceno knows the sting of that only too well. This weekend, he boldly forged ahead with a second statement on the judgment. His initial statement was cautious, simply saying he respects the court's decision, but his second statement - which is being read as pro-gay - has stirred a firestorm of controversy on Facebook.
It says, quote, "Since the Chief Justice handed down his decision in the Caleb Orosco matter, many harmful comments have been made. Most disturbing was and threats and the call for harm to be done to people in the LGBT Community…respect and tolerance must always prevail over bigotry and hate." It continues, "I remind everyone of the words of Pope Francis who said: "who am I to judge?" It is not Belizean to hate; bigotry is also not Belizean. We are a people who value peace and we love, love. We who are PUP say the "PUP da LOVE!" Let us together banish fear and ignorance and embrace diversity. Let us respect each other, and never forget that it is our diversity which makes us strong."
Well, from what we're told many higher-up's in the PUP are not "loving" that statement one bit, and reports say Briceno yesterday had a lengthy meeting with senior members of his executive yesterday to try and arrive at a consensus. Our reports say the PM has already arrived at that concensus when Cabinet met today.
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