DOCSLIB.ORG

The Equal Rights Review

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Equal Rights Review The Equal Rights Review Promoting equality as a fundamental human right and a basic principle of social justice In this issue: ■ Special: Equal Rights to Family Life ■ Marriage equality in Indonesia and Ireland ■ Testimony from an intersex person ■ Equality legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina ■ Domestic servitude in Singapore ■ Equality jurisprudence in the Caribbean The Equal Rights Review Volume Ten (2013) Ten Volume Review Rights The Equal Biannual publication of The Equal Rights Trust Volume Ten (2013) Contents 5 Editorial Equal Rights to Marry and Found a Family Articles 11 Arif Bulkan The Poverty of Equality Jurisprudence in the Commonwealth Caribbean 33 Libby Clarke Behind Closed Doors: Trafficking into Domestic Servitude in Singapore 59 Adnan Kadribašić Developing Equality Legislation in Divided Societies: the Case of Bosnia and Herzegovina Special 83 Jens M. Scherpe The Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Couples in Europe and the Role of the European Court of Human Rights 97 Saskia E. Wieringa Marriage Equality in Indonesia? Unruly Bodies, Subversive Partners and Legal Implications 111 Katherine Zappone In Pursuit of Marriage Equality in Ireland: A Narrative and Theoretical Reflection 123 Ariel Dulitzky Case Note: Indirect Discrimination, Reproductive Rights and Hannah Zimmermann and the In Vitro Fertilisation Ban Testimony 133 Equal Rights for Intersex People: Testimony of an Intersex Person Interview 143 Developing Law and Policy: Progressing towards Equal Rights to Family Life. ERT talks with Ian Curry-Sumner and Stephen Gilbert Activities 151 The Equal Rights Trust Advocacy 159 Update on Current ERT Projects 184 ERT Work Itinerary: July – December 2012 4 The Equal Rights Review is published biannually by The Equal Rights Trust. The opinions expressed in authored materials are not necessarily those of The Equal Rights Trust. Editor: Dimitrina Petrova Assistant Editor: Joanna Whiteman Advisory Editorial Board: Sandra Fredman, Colin Gonsalves, Bob Hepple, Claire L’Heureux-Dubé, Christopher McCrudden, Bob Niven, Kate O’Regan, Michael Rubenstein, David Ruebain, Sylvia Tamale © March 2013 The Equal Rights Trust DesignPrinted and inlayout: the UK Dafina by Stroma Gueorguieva Ltd ISSN: 1757-1650 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, or a licence for restricted copying from the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd., UK, or the Copyright Clearance Center, USA. Support the cause of equality The Equal Rights Trust is a charity relying on the support of the public. To make a donation online, please visit www.equalrightstrust.org, or send a bank transfer, The Equal Rights Trust’s account chequenumber to the with office Coutts address Bank below. (UK) is:For 07130988; donations by IBAN GB43COUT18000207130988; Bank address: Coutts & Co., 440 Strand, London WC2R 0QS The Equal Rights Trust 126 North End Road London W14 9PP United Kingdom Tel.: +44 (0)207 610 2786 Fax: +44 (0)203 441 7436 [email protected] www.equalrightstrust.org The Equal Rights Trust is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and a registered charity. Company number 5559173. Charity number 1113288. The Equal Rights Review, Vol. Ten (2013) 5 Editorial Equal Rights to Marry and Found a Family International human rights law can be said suit, accordingly. If anything, with the new to be very family-friendly. A basic assump- reproductive technologies, types of adop- tion underlying the entitlement to protection tion, and the evolving forms of marriage, it of the family by the state is that “the family is almost certain that, in the not too distant is the natural and fundamental group unit of future, the “family” will come in even more society” – a phrase found in Articles 16 of the shapes and sizes than the rich variety of his- Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 23.1 toric units under that name. of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and 10.1 of the International Fundamental rights related to marriage Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural and the family in international human Rights. A slightly expanded wording is found rights law include: in the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, whose Preamble refers to “the fam- (i) The protection from interference with ily, as the fundamental group of society and one’s family, analogous to and mentioned to- the natural environment for the growth and gether with, the protection from interference well-being of all its members and particu- with one’s privacy, home or correspondence larly children”. – the right to be free from “arbitrary interfer- ence” with one’s family (Article 12 UDHR); But the family appears to be not just a “unit”, from “arbitrary or unlawful interference” be it natural or otherwise. International hu- with one’s family (Article 17 ICCPR); or the man rights law instruments that make up “right to respect for his (…) family life” (Ar- ticle 8 ECHR). sentences of their preambles, refer to “the humanthe international family”, meaning bill of allrights, of humankind in the first as (ii) The right to marry and found a family one “family”, presumably as opposed to oth- (Article 16.1 UDHR, Article 23.2 ICCPR, and er species. Therefore, apparently, no human Article 12 ECHR, among others). person can ever be absolutely orphaned – or is the “human family” here just a metaphor? (iii) Certain other rights construed with ref- erence to the family – including the protec- So, the question is, unsurprisingly, what is the tion of the family “by society and the state” family? How does it relate to marriage and (Article 16.3 UDHR, Article 23.1 ICCPR, Arti- what type of marriage, if any, has to be recog- cle 10.1 ICESCR, etc.). nised as the basis of the family? The notion of the family has changed over time in most The rights to equality related to marriage contemporary cultures, and this change is far and the family have been interpreted to com- from over. Family laws have been following prise, inter alia: The Equal Rights Review, Vol. Ten (2013) 6 (i) Equality between spouses, i.e. equal tions to “opt in” to conducting same sex mar- rights of spouses “as to marriage, during riage. The Equal Rights Trust participated marriage and at its dissolution” (Article 16. in the consultation process, welcoming the 1 UDHR, Article 23.4 ICCPR, as well as the Bill but pointing out elements of remaining detailed provisions of Article 16 of the Con- sexual orientation discrimination in it. In its vention on the Elimination of All Forms of legal opinion, ERT took issue with the way in Discrimination against Women, which is which the Bill seeks to balance non-discrimi- honoured in the breech in many countries nation against lesbian, gay and bisexual per- that have made reservations on this article in sons with religious freedom. In the unique favour of sharia law or custom). situation of the UK, religious organisations conduct marriages that are recognised and (ii) Non-discrimination in relation to the regulated by the state – in contrast to the right to marry and found a family – the equal secular approach of countries like the Neth- rights of each person “of full age” (Article erlands, where religious marriages have no 16.1 UDHR, Article 23.2 ICCPR, Article 12 legal value and, as Ian Curry-Sumner points ECHR), having a protected characteristic, out in this issue, it is a criminal offence to such as race, nationality or religion, to marry conduct a religious marriage before a civil and found a family, on an equal basis with marriage has taken place. Most British peo- persons who do not have that characteristic. ple marry in an Anglican or a Catholic church and this is the only marriage ceremony that It is this second aspect of family rights equal- takes place for them; no separate civil cer- ity, protected by common Article 2 of ICCPR emony is necessary. In our brief to the Par- and ICESCR and Article 26 ICCPR, as well as liamentary Committee on the Bill, we argued regional treaties, which is the focus of this is- that when religious organisations conduct sue of The Equal Eights Review. The materials marriages which are recognised and regu- published in these pages tackle some of the lated by the state they perform a public func- key aspects of equality in respect to enter- tion and that international human rights law ing a marriage and founding a family without and the UK Equality Act 2010 require such discrimination. One of the big issues of our functions to be carried out in a non-discrim- time, same sex marriage, is the central topic inatory manner. While religious organisa- of two of the articles in the Special section as tions should be free to conduct religious cer- well as the double Interview. Same sex mar- emonies in accordance with their beliefs and riage recognised by law realises the right to tenets, when stepping in to act in lieu of the equality of each person in the enjoyment and state in a public function – conducting state- exercise of the right to marry and found a recognised marriages – churches should not family, without discrimination on the ground be permitted to discriminate against people of sexual orientation. on the protected ground of their sexual ori- entation. However, the UK government has At present, many countries around the world pre-empted any debate on this issue by mak- are considering the adoption of same sex ing a very strong promise to the established marriage laws, including the United King- church and other religious organisations dom. The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill that they will never be required to conduct 2013 opens up access to the institution of same sex marriages, and that their exemp- marriage to same sex couples through civil tion from the equal treatment principle will ceremonies and allows religious organisa- be set in stone.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • LGBT Rights at Work
    LGBT Rights at Work An advice leaflet for Usdaw Members Rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Workers As a result of many years of Although the Equality Act has not been enacted in Northern Ireland, similar campaigning by lesbian, gay, legislation applies protecting LGBT people bisexual and transgender from discrimination. The information in this leaflet therefore applies equally to LGBT (LGBT) organisations and members in Northern Ireland. Trade Unions, LGBT workers As well as the recent improvements in now enjoy the same rights at legal rights, social attitudes have also dramatically changed but this doesn’t mean work as their heterosexual that harassment and discrimination relating (straight) colleagues. to sexual orientation or gender identity has disappeared from our workplaces. The Equality Act, introduced in October Millions of LGBT workers still don’t feel 2010 in England, Scotland and Wales, made safe enough to be out about their sexual it unlawful for employers to discriminate orientation or gender identity at work and against someone or harass them for reasons thousands of these workers will be Usdaw relating to either their sexual orientation or members. This leaflet summarises the legal their gender identity. rights LGBT members have at work. 1 The issues Gender Identity The law also means that transgender Whilst Usdaw recognises that lesbians, gay members are fully protected from men, bisexuals and transgender members discrimination by the law. A transgender each have distinct and separate problems at person is someone who lives their life in work, they also share a range of concerns a gender different to that in which they and experiences.
    [Show full text]
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy 2018 – 2020
    Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy 2018 – 2020 1 Contents About this document................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 5 What does Equality, Diversity and Inclusion mean to the HCPC? .............................. 5 Legal duties ................................................................................................................ 6 Vision and values ....................................................................................................... 8 Equality, diversity and inclusion objectives ................................................................. 9 Setting measures ..................................................................................................... 10 Measuring success................................................................................................... 10 Accountability ........................................................................................................... 11 More Information ...................................................................................................... 13 Contact us ................................................................................................................ 13 2 About Us We are the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). We are a regulator and we were set up to protect the public. To do this, we keep a register of professionals
    [Show full text]
  • Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the Commonwealth
    Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in The Commonwealth Struggles for Decriminalisation and Change Edited by Corinne Lennox and Matthew Waites Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in The Commonwealth: Struggles for Decriminalisation and Change Edited by Corinne Lennox and Matthew Waites © Human Rights Consortium, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London, 2013 This book is published under a Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NCND 4.0) license. More information regarding CC licenses is available at https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/ Available to download free at http://www.humanities-digital-library.org ISBN 978-1-912250-13-4 (2018 PDF edition) DOI 10.14296/518.9781912250134 Institute of Commonwealth Studies School of Advanced Study University of London Senate House Malet Street London WC1E 7HU Cover image: Activists at Pride in Entebbe, Uganda, August 2012. Photo © D. David Robinson 2013. Photo originally published in The Advocate (8 August 2012) with approval of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG). Approval renewed here from SMUG and FARUG, and PRIDE founder Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera. Published with direct informed consent of the main pictured activist. Contents Abbreviations vii Contributors xi 1 Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity in the Commonwealth: from history and law to developing activism and transnational dialogues 1 Corinne Lennox and Matthew Waites 2
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of the Garifuna of Belize's Toledo District Alexander Gough
    Indigenous identity in a contested land: A study of the Garifuna of Belize’s Toledo district Alexander Gough This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy September 2018 Lancaster University Law School 1 Declaration This thesis has not been submitted in support of an application for another degree at this or any other university. It is the result of my own work and includes nothing that is the outcome of work done in collaboration except where specifically indicated. Many of the ideas in this thesis were the product of discussion with my supervisors. Alexander Gough, Lancaster University 21st September 2018 2 Abstract The past fifty years has seen a significant shift in the recognition of indigenous peoples within international law. Once conceptualised as the antithesis to European identity, which in turn facilitated colonial ambitions, the recognition of indigenous identity and responding to indigenous peoples’ demands is now a well-established norm within the international legal system. Furthermore, the recognition of this identity can lead to benefits, such as a stake in controlling valuable resources. However, gaining tangible indigenous recognition remains inherently complex. A key reason for this complexity is that gaining successful recognition as being indigenous is highly dependent upon specific regional, national and local circumstances. Belize is an example of a State whose colonial and post-colonial geographies continue to collide, most notably in its southernmost Toledo district. Aside from remaining the subject of a continued territorial claim from the Republic of Guatemala, in recent years Toledo has also been the battleground for the globally renowned indigenous Maya land rights case.
    [Show full text]
  • Vision for Change: Acceptance Without Exception for Trans People
    A VISION FOR CHANGE Acceptance without exception for trans people 2017-2022 A VISION FOR CHANGE Acceptance without exception for trans people Produced by Stonewall Trans Advisory Group Published by Stonewall [email protected] www.stonewall.org.uk/trans A VISION FOR CHANGE Acceptance without exception for trans people 2017-2022 CONTENTS PAGE 5 INTRODUCTION FROM STONEWALL’S TRANS ADVISORY GROUP PAGE 6 INTRODUCTION FROM RUTH HUNT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, STONEWALL PAGE 7 HOW TO READ THIS DOCUMENT PAGE 8 A NOTE ON LANGUAGE PAGE 9 EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS: enabling full participation in everyday and public life by empowering trans people, changing hearts and minds, and creating a network of allies PAGE 9 −−THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE: o Role models o Representation of trans people in public life o Representation of trans people in media o Diversity of experiences o LGBT communities o Role of allies PAGE 11 −−VISION FOR CHANGE PAGE 12 −−STONEWALL’S RESPONSE PAGE 14 −−WHAT OTHERS CAN DO PAGE 16 TRANSFORMING INSTITUTIONS: improving services and workplaces for trans people PAGE 16 −−THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE: o Children, young people and education o Employment o Faith o Hate crime, the Criminal Justice System and support services o Health and social care o Sport PAGE 20 −−VISION FOR CHANGE PAGE 21 −−WHAT SERVICE PROVIDERS CAN DO PAGE 26 −−STONEWALL’S RESPONSE PAGE 28 −−WHAT OTHERS CAN DO PAGE 30 CHANGING LAWS: ensuring equal rights, responsibilities and legal protections for trans people PAGE 30 −−THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE: o The Gender Recognition Act o The Equality Act o Families and marriage o Sex by deception o Recording gender o Asylum PAGE 32 −−VISION FOR CHANGE PAGE 33 −−STONEWALL’S RESPONSE PAGE 34 −−WHAT OTHERS CAN DO PAGE 36 GETTING INVOLVED PAGE 38 GLOSSARY INTRODUCTION FROM STONEWALL’S TRANS ADVISORY GROUP The UK has played an While many of us benefited from the work to give a voice to all parts of trans successes of this time, many more communities, and we are determined important role in the did not.
    [Show full text]
  • LGBT History Month 2016
    Inner Temple Library LGBT History Month 2016 ‘The overall aim of LGBT History Month is to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public. This is done by: increasing the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (“LGBT”) people, their history, lives and their experiences in the curriculum and culture of educational and other institutions, and the wider community; raising awareness and advancing education on matters affecting the LGBT community; working to make educational and other institutions safe spaces for all LGBT communities; and promoting the welfare of LGBT people, by ensuring that the education system recognises and enables LGBT people to achieve their full potential, so they contribute fully to society and lead fulfilled lives, thus benefiting society as a whole.’ Source: www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/about Legal Milestones ‘[A] wallchart has been produced by the Forum for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Equality in Further and Higher Education and a group of trade unions in association with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) History Month. The aim has been to produce a resource to support those raising awareness of sexual orientation and gender identity equality and diversity. Centred on the United Kingdom, it highlights important legal milestones and identifies visible and significant contributions made by individuals, groups and particularly the labour movement.’ Source: www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/wallchart The wallchart is included in this leaflet, and we have created a timeline of important legal milestones. We have highlighted a selection of material held by the Inner Temple Library that could be used to read about these events in more detail.
    [Show full text]
  • Case of Maya Indigenous Communities of Belize, Inter-Am
    REPORT Nº 96/03 CASE 12.053 MAYA INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES OF THE TOLEDO DISTRICT BELIZE October 24, 2003 I. SUMMARY 1. This report concerns a petition presented to the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (the "Commission”) against the State of Belize (the "State" or “Belize”) on August 7, 1998 by the Indian Law Resource Center and the Toledo Maya Cultural Council (the “Petitioners”). The petition claims that the State is responsible for violating rights under the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man (the “American Declaration”) that the Mopan and Ke’kchi Maya People of the Toledo District of Southern Belize (the “Maya people of the Toledo District” or the “Maya people”) are alleged to have over certain lands and natural resources.1 2. The Petitioners claim that the State has violated Articles I, II, III, VI, XI, XVIII, XX and XXIII of the American Declaration in respect of lands traditionally used and occupied by the Maya people, by granting logging and oil concessions in and otherwise failing to adequately protect those lands, failing to recognize and secure the territorial rights of the Maya people in those lands, and failing to afford the Maya people judicial protection of their rights and interests in the lands due to delays in court proceedings instituted by them. According to the Petitioners, the State’s contraventions have impacted negatively on the natural environment upon which the Maya people depend for subsistence, have jeopardized the Maya people and their culture, and threaten to cause further damage in the future. 3. The State has indicated before the Commission that applicable law and the facts presented by the Petitioners are unclear as to whether the Maya people may have aboriginal rights in the lands under dispute, although at the same time it has recognized in negotiations outside of the Commission proceedings that the Maya people have rights in lands in the Toledo District based upon their longstanding use and occupancy of that territory.
    [Show full text]
  • Statutory Code of Practice: Services, Public Functions and Associations
    Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice Services, public functions and associations Statutory Code of Practice Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice Services, public functions and associations Statutory Code of Practice Equality Act 2010 Statutory Code of Practice Services, public functions and associations www.equalityhumanrights.com © Equality and Human Rights Commission (2011) The text of this document (this excludes, where present, the Royal Arms and all departmental and agency logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium providing that it is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Equality and Human Rights Commission copyright and the document title specified. Where third party material has been identified, permission from the respective copyright holder must be sought. Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at www.equalityhumanrights.com This publication is also available on www.official-documents.gov.uk ISBN: 9780108509728 ID P002411441 01/11 Printed in the UK by The Stationery Office Limited on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum. Contents 01 Contents 15 Foreword 17 Chapter 1: Introduction 17 Purpose of the Equality Act 2010 18 Status of the Code 18 Scope of the Code 19 Age as a protected characteristic 20 Marriage and Civil Partnership 20 Purpose of the Code 21 Human Rights 22 Large and small service providers 22 How to use the Code 23 Examples in the Code
    [Show full text]
  • Private Lands Conservation in Belize
    University of Colorado Law School Colorado Law Scholarly Commons Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Books, Reports, and Studies Resources, Energy, and the Environment 2004 Private Lands Conservation in Belize Joan Marsan University of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.law.colorado.edu/books_reports_studies Part of the Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Commons, Environmental Law Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, Estates and Trusts Commons, Land Use Law Commons, Legislation Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Natural Resources Law Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Property Law and Real Estate Commons, and the Tax Law Commons Citation Information Joan Marsan, Private Lands Conservation In Belize (Natural Res. Law Ctr., Univ. of Colo. Sch. of Law 2004). JOAN MARSAN, PRIVATE LANDS CONSERVATION IN BELIZE (Natural Res. Law Ctr., Univ. of Colo. Sch. of Law 2004). Reproduced with permission of the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment (formerly the Natural Resources Law Center) at the University of Colorado Law School. AVAILABLE ONLINE ====================; • •~ ~ ...... ~ ~ ~ .­~ PRIVATE LANDS CONSERVATION IN .~ BELIZE •_. -­~ • ~ ..­ A Country Report by the Natural Resources Law Center, ...... University of Colorado School of Law ~ 4 .­~ September 2004 ~ Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy Primary Author: Joan Marsan, NRLC Research Assistant KGA [email protected] 576 • M37 2004 Private Lands
    [Show full text]
  • The Impact of the Equality Act 2010 on Charities
    The Impact of the Equality Act 2010 on Charities Debra Morris, Anne Morris and Jennifer Sigafoos Charity Law & Policy Unit, School of Law and Social Justice, University of Liverpool Published by: Charity Law & Policy Unit University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 7ZA August 2013 website: http://www.liv.ac.uk/law/research/charity-law-and-policy/about/ © Charity Law & Policy Unit ISBN 978-0-9536666-6-9 ii Table of Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. 1 I Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 9 II Overview/ General Themes ......................................................................................................... 17 III The Legal Context: Charity Law ................................................................................................ 29 IV The Legal Context: Equality Laws ............................................................................................. 41 V The Legal Context: Interrelation between Charity and Equality Law ........................... 90 VI Case Studies .................................................................................................................................. 104 Religious Charities 104 Higher Education 117 Single-sex Provision 135 Challenges to Public Sector Spending Cuts 142 VII Conclusion and Recommendations ....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Belize | Freedom House
    6/5/2020 Belize | Freedom House FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2020 Belize 86 FREE /100 Political Rights 35 /40 Civil Liberties 51 /60 LAST YEAR'S SCORE & STATUS 86 /100 Free Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale. See the methodology. https://freedomhouse.org/country/belize/freedom-world/2020 1/13 6/5/2020 Belize | Freedom House Overview Belize is a democracy that has experienced regular rotations of power through competitive elections. Civil liberties are mostly respected. Government corruption is a concern, as is the high rate of violent crime. Authorities have been slow to address persistent problems of police brutality and human trafficking within the country’s borders. Key Developments in 2019 In March, the opposition People’s United Party (PUP) filed a Supreme Court claim against Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dean Barrow and an aide, for allegedly spending $645 million from Petrocaribe without parliamentary authorization. The court heard the case in November, with a ruling due in January 2020. The US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report noted two new human trafficking prosecutions, the first in four years. A long-running border dispute with Guatemala remains unresolved. In March, three Guatemalan gun boats blocked a Belize Coast Guard patrol from accessing the Sarstoon River, which is part of Belizean territory. Political Rights A. Electoral Process A1 0-4 pts Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? 4 / 4 The prime minister, usually the leader of the largest party in the parliament, is head of government.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Supreme Court of Belize, A.D. 2007
    IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BELIZE, A.D. 2007 CONSOLIDATED CLAIMS CLAIM NO. 171 OF 2007 BETWEEN: AURELIO CAL in his own behalf and on behalf of the MAVA VILLAGE OF SANTACRUZ and BASILIO TEUL, HIGINIO TEUL, MARCELINA CAL TEUL and SUSANO CANTI Claimants AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF BELIZE and THE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT Defendants CLAIM NO. 172 OF 2007 BETWEEN: MANUEL COY in his own behalf and on behalf of the MAYA VILLAGE OF CONEJO and MANUEL CAAL, PERFECTO MAKIN and MELINA MAKIN Claimants AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF BELIZE and THE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT Defendants University Of Hawaii School of Law Library - Jon Van Dyke Archives Collection BEFORE the Honourable Abdulai Conteh, Chief Justice. Ms. Antoinette Moore for the claimants. Ms. Nichola Cho with Mrs. Andrea McSweeney McKoy for the defendants. JUDGMENT 1. The Claimants and the Nature of their case This judgment relates to consolidated claims which raise essentially the same issue. All the claimants have in common the fact that they are members of Maya communities in Southern Belize. The first set of claimants in Claim No. 171 of 2007, live in the Maya village of Santa Cruz; and the first-named claimant Aurelio Cal is the elected Alcalde of the said village of Santa Cruz and he brings this claim on his own behalf and that of the claimant village. The other co-claimants are all members of the said village of Santa Cruz. The second set of claimants in Claim No. 172 of 2007 live in the Maya village of Conejo, and the first-named claimant, Manuel Coy, is the elected Alcalde of Conejo Village and he has brought this claim on his own behalf and that of the said Conejo Village.
    [Show full text]