BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT THRONE SPEECH DELIVERS LEGISLATIVE

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000169 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN - ROIS BEAL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL SOCI BH SUBJECT: BELIZE: NEW GOVERNMENT THRONE SPEECH DELIVERS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ¶1. (U) Summary. On March 14, the new Government of Belize proposed a legislative plan that focused on government reform, education, health, and crime. The announced reform agenda seeks to combat corruption and institutionalize transparency. The plan also included new and expanded programs and services that may be impeded by a lack of available funding and resources. End Summary. ¶2. (U) In the opening parliamentary session to seat the new House of Representatives, Prime Minister Dean Barrow's government delivered a blueprint for change. On March 14, in a speech read by the Governor General, the United Democratic Party (UDP) proposed a plan that focused on government reform, education, health, and crime. -------------- GOVERNMENT REFORMS -------------- ¶3. (U) Plans for the first House session were extensive and suggested numerous reforms including the right to recall elected representatives and allow for a mechanism to impeach the Prime Minister. The speech called for a revision of the Freedom of Information Act to allow for the disclosure of information on government contracts, operations, and projects. The UDP planned to empower the Senate to initiate and conduct investigations into mismanagement or corruption by public officials. Additionally, in a conciliatory gesture, the elected representatives from both sides of the House will be allotted a fair allocation of funds to enable them to serve their constituencies. The speech stated that legislation regarding Senate reform, secret government contracts, conflict of interest, and nepotism would all be addressed in the first session. It is unclear if the proposed plan to punish unjust enrichment by public officials would apply to recent wrongdoing of the previous government or would only be prospective. -------------- Crime and Prosecution -------------- ¶4. (U) The speech addressed new criminal standards to be enacted including the establishment of a special "Gun Court" to focus on crimes involving the possession or use of guns and ammunition. Drugs, violence, and effective prosecution were also focused on as areas for improvement. To this end, the anti-drug unit will be strengthened with improved mobility, training, and intelligence gathering to deal not only with drug dealers, but also with the illegal gun trade. A Gang Violence Prevention Unit within the police department will be established and the Office of the Ombudsman will be empowered to investigate wrongdoing and negligence on the part of the Department of Public Prosecution. Additionally, the Internal Affairs Department of the police will be improved to strengthen investigative abilities and the police department will be accountable to a Civilian Oversight Board. -------------- Education and Health -------------- ¶5. (U) Health reforms will focus on preventive care, public health education, and the removal of General Sales Tax from medical service and medications. A national school feeding program will be introduced and the Government plans to expand compulsory education from eight to ten years. National education standards will be used to identify under-performing schools and position teachers to assist students who are falling behind. A plan was put forward to provide access to high-quality preschool programs, particularly in disadvantaged areas and to provide financial incentives for teachers to upgrade their professional qualifications. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (U) The problem with the proposed reforms will be the lack of resources. For example, the Government has committed to maintaining the National Health Insurance program costing some Bz$38 million dollars annually even though there are no funds currently allocated to the budget and no identifiable future source of funding. Plans to address issues of corruption and transparency are welcome and well overdue. HILL