7 News Belize

US Human Rights Report Looks At Police Abuses, Corruption
posted (March 3, 2017)
The US State Department issued its annual report on human rights around the world today, and the country report on Belize makes a few interesting observations.

The report concludes, quote, "The most important human rights abuses included the use of excessive force by security forces (especially the police), lengthy pretrial detention, and harassment and threats based on sexual orientation or gender identity." It adds, quote, "Other human rights problems included corruption by government agents, lack of protection of refugees, domestic violence, discrimination against women, sexual abuse of children, trafficking in persons, and child labor."

And then it goes unto say, quote, "In some cases the government took steps to prosecute public officials who committed abuses…(but) While some lower ranking officials faced disciplinary action and/or criminal charges, higher-ranking officials were less likely to face punishment, resulting in a perception of impunity."

The GSU gets special mention for allegations of police abuses, while under the heading "corruption,", the report notes, quote, "Allegations of corruption in government among public officials, including ministers and chief executive officers, were numerous, although no substantial proof was presented in most cases." In that same section, the report notes,
"former deputy prime minister Gaspar Vega resigned as cabinet minister following a revelation that his son, Andre Vega, had benefited from an illegal land transaction..."

The report documents human rights conditions in nearly 200 countries and is compiled by staff in U.S. embassies across the globe.

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