Public Sex Offender Registry Coming to Belize Following Criminal Code Amendment

After weeks of online discourse, today the Government announced that the public will soon have access to the National Sex Offenders Database. In May of this year, Special Envoy for Women and Children, Rosanna Briceño issued a press release calling for a Public, National Sex Offenders registry. While Belize does have a registry, it has not been available to the public, but according to the Minister of Labor, that will soon change. Today, the Minister of Labor, Kareem Musa introduced an Amendment to the Criminal Code Bill, granting public access to the National Sex Offenders Database. The Amendment will also allow in-camera proceedings for offenses pertaining to women and children. Here was that announcement. 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Immigration, Governance and Labour: “I rise to introduce a bill for an act to amend the Criminal Code, Chapter 101 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, to provide for public accessibility to the national sex offenders database, to provide for in-camera proceedings for certain offenses, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental there too. These amendments today, Mr. Speaker, in essence will provide the public access to the national sex offenders database and to provide for in-camera proceedings in cases involving sexual offenses and the testimony of children. The amendment expands the list of sexual offenses for which a convicted sexual offender becomes subject to sex notification requirements. There’s also an amendment to Section 65A, removing the requirement or need for a member of the public to apply for permission to have access to the national sex offender’s database and instead to allow for general access to the public. And finally, the insertion of a new part three. This new part will make provision for in-camera hearings for proceedings relating to sexual offenses and testimony of children.”

The proposed amendment would also broaden the list of sexual offenses covered under the law, making more offenders eligible for inclusion on the Sex Offenders Registry. Under the amendment, convicted offenders would not be allowed to change their residence without first informing the relevant authorities and must comply with all other requirements that may be placed on them. Failure to comply with the new requirements may lead to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of no more than ten thousands dollars.