PM Briceño Addresses Possible Appeal of Unconstitutional State of Emergency Ruling

Prime Minister John Briceño today addressed whether government will appeal a Court of Appeal ruling that found two states of emergency imposed in 2020 unconstitutional and awarded damages to men detained under those measures.  The case concerns emergency proclamations issued in March and July 2020 for Southside Belize City. In its September third ruling, the court found that the State had not provided sufficient evidence to justify using emergency powers beyond the ordinary criminal justice system. It also identified breaches in the detention process, including inadequate reasons for detention and the absence of an independent review tribunal.  The decision upheld compensation for thirteen men and extended awards to five others. Each was awarded fifteen thousand dollars in compensatory damages and seven thousand dollars in vindicatory damages for the constitutional breaches.  Speaking with the media earlier today, Briceño was asked whether government would take the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “I have not heard yet from the funny attorney general, so quite likely probably on Tuesday I’ll be able to get a better feeling as to what is going to be the next step.”

The ruling concerns the legality of the emergency measures and the treatment of detainees. The Court of Appeal found that authorities had failed to demonstrate a threat that could not be addressed through ordinary criminal law. Its decision sets an important threshold for the use of emergency powers in responding to gang violence.