Download Pdfdownload

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

BELIZE PRESS OFFICE ●Phone: 822-0094 or 0092 ●Fax: 822-2671 ● website: www.belize.gov.bz PRESS RELEASE Amendments to the Defence Force Pension Regulations Belmopan. October 29, 2020. 9:00 a.m. On October 13, 2020, Cabinet gave its full approval for the financial provisions of amendments to certain sections of the Defence (Pensions and Other Grants) Regulations. These amendments bring the Pensions Regulations in alignment with the newly revised Defence Act and to provide for equitable pension benefits to be received by the Belize Defence Force enlisted personnel as well as its officers. The amendments are necessary to rectify several disparities by providing for the rights and privileges given to officers to also be given to soldiers and vice versa, and to provide for an ex gratia payment to be made for family members of the Force who died in service. At its sitting on September 25, 2020, the National Assembly approved the newly revised Defence Act as recommended by the Defence Board. The revised Act provides for the Security Services Commission, after consultation with the Defence Board, to make regulations for better compliance to the Defence Act. With the new amendments, soldiers are now required to serve for a minimum period of 15 years (previously 18 years) for the purpose of qualifying for a pension. It also provides for all members of the Force that are invalided and having served 10 years be eligible for a pension. Other amendments include a mandatary ex gratia payment for the beneficiaries of members that lose their life while performing a duty and payment of Death in Harness for regularly employed Volunteers. These and other amendments to the Defence Force Regulations make available similar payments of pensions and grants that are offered to the Belize Police Department and the Belize Coast Guard. Ends Page 1 of 1 .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Concept Note Science Diplomacy and the Prevention of Conflict in The
CENTRE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES, Concept Note Science DiplomacyPOLICY ANA and the PreventionLYSIS of AND Conflict in the Belize RESEARCH Guatemala Territorial Dispute The application of science diplomacy, defined as the harnessing of science and technology for the advancement of international relations, is posited as a relevant tool for conflict prevention in what for now may be considered a ‘managed’/non belligerent territorial dispute that exists between Belize and the Republic of Guatemala. In this context there is ample potential for the mitigation of border area tension through encouragement of interconnected multi track approaches at the official/diplomatic level (Track 1), non official (Track II), e.g. trans boundary collaboration between non government organizations, and between communities in mutually beneficial activities (Track III). Since 2000, border area relations between Belize and Guatemala have been subject to an OAS-brokered regime in the form of three successive agreements on confidence building measures (CBMs) to reduce tension and mitigate the potential for conflict. An agreed kilometer wide Adjacency Zone on the east and west side of the Belize/Guatemala border has been maintained to accomplish this. Guatemala maintains a territorial claim to half of Belize’s territory; a dispute inherited by Belize on attaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. The Parties are now engaged in preparation for simultaneous national referenda to determine whether to refer the matter for adjudication by the International Court of Justice. In September 2010 the Guatemalan Congress approved that the Government could proceed to hold the referendum there. The Government indicated to the Belize side that agreement on an early date for this was not foreseeable.
[Show full text]
Nationalsecurityanddefencestrate
1TableMANDATE of Contents 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 4 EXECUTIVE SUmmARY CHAPTER ONE 5 THE STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT CHAPTER TWO 7 NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE: VISION AND VALUES 8 NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE STRATEGY PILLARS 9 CORE NATIONAL VALUES CHAPTER THREE 12 NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE STRATEGY 12 CORE CONCEPTS AND REQUIRED CAPABILITIES 13 1 MAINTAIN THE SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF BELIZE 15 2 REDUCE LOCAL AND TRANSNATIONAL CRIME 18 3 PROVIDE THE NECEssARY ENVIRONMENT FOR A PROSPEROUS AND STABLE BELIZE. CHAPTER FOUR 23 MONITORING AND EVALUATION 23 PERIODIC STRATEGY REVIEWS 24 THE NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE STRATEGY: LEAD AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY 28 GLOssARY 29 REFERENCE The global security environment is faced with a complex set of threatsMandate that, to a large extent, is common to both the Central American and Caribbean regions. By extension, Belize is faced with similar threats to our national security emanating from local and foreign actors. The most troubling are threats to our sovereignty and territorial integrity, our prosperity, and law and order. Over the past year the nation and, indeed the world, bore witness to the Republic of Guatemala’s claim that it possesses sovereignty to parts of our territory. This is despite the demarcation executed by the British and Guatemalan Boundary Commissioner in the 1859 Treaty which clearly shows what comprise the 8867sq miles of Belizean territory – a demarcation that has since been observed and accepted in published maps and State practice. The Government of Belize is particularly concerned about the activities of the Guatemalan Authorities along the Sarstoon River in Southern Belize. The Government of Belize has been calling for the Republic of Guatemala and the Organization of American States (OAS) to join the effort to develop confidence building measures for the Sarstoon River.
[Show full text]
Belize 2020 Human Rights Report
BELIZE 2020 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Belize is a constitutional parliamentary democracy. In the most recent national election, held on November 11, the People’s United Party won 26 of 31 seats in the National Assembly. Party leader John Briceno was sworn in as prime minister on November 12. The Ministry of National Security is responsible for oversight of police, prisons, the coast guard, and the military. The Belize Police Department is primarily responsible for internal security. The small military force primarily focuses on external security but also provides limited domestic security support to civilian authorities and has limited powers of arrest that are executed by the Belize Defence Force for land and shoreline areas and by the Coast Guard for coastal and maritime areas. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. Members of security forces committed few abuses. Significant human rights issues included: allegations of the use of excessive force and inhuman treatment by security officers, allegations of widespread corruption and impunity by government officials, trafficking in persons, and child labor. In some cases the government took steps to prosecute public officials who committed abuses, both administratively and through the courts, but there were few successful prosecutions. Section 1. Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom from: a. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life and Other Unlawful or Politically Motivated Killings There was a report that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. A team from the branch of the security force responsible for a killing or other abuse investigates the allegation and then presents the findings, recommendations, and penalties to authorities.
[Show full text]
CHAPTER 1 the Revised Belize Constitution1 Establishes Three (3
QUESTIONNAIRE ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION SELECTED IN THE SECOND ROUND AND FOR FOLLOW-UP ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS FORMULATED IN THE FIRST ROUND – MEETING OF THE MESICIC SECTION 1 QUESTIONS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION PROVISIONS SELECTED FOR REVIEW IN THE SECOND ROUND CHAPTER 1 SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT HIRING AND PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES (ARTICLE III (5) OF THE CONVENTION). 1. Government Hiring systems a. Are there laws and/or measures in your country establishing government hiring systems? If so, briefly describe the main systems, indicating their characteristics and principles and list and attach a copy of the related provisions and documents Also describe how the above systems ensure openness, equity and efficiency in your country. In relation to the above, refer among others, to the following aspects: (i) Governing or administrating authorities of the systems and control mechanisms. (ii) Access to the public service through a merit-based system. (iii) Advertisement for the selection of public servants, indicating the qualifications for selection. (iv) Ways to challenge a decision made in the selection system. (v) Relevant exceptions to the above. The revised Belize Constitution1 establishes three (3) services commissions empowered to conduct the government’s hiring system. These commissions are: the Public Services Commission established under section 105; the Security Services Commission established under section 110.C; and the Judicial and Legal Services Commission established under section 110.E. The Security Services Commission and the Judicial and Legal Services Commission were established pursuant to a Constitutional Amendment enacted in 20012 that separated the powers historically held only by the Public Services Commission.
[Show full text]
CONSTITUTION of BELIZE CONSTITUTIONAL CHRONOLOGY by Albert J
CONSTITUTION OF BELIZE CONSTITUTIONAL CHRONOLOGY by Albert J. Ysaguire 1978 On January 27, Premier Price rejected a proposed compromise with Guatemala whereby Belize would cede 300 square miles of mainland and 600 square miles of seabed in the south of Belize in return for Guatemala's recognition of Belize's Independence. A similar proposal by Britain for Belize to cede between 1000 an 2000 square miles of land and adjacent seabed was earlier rejected. Mr. Price announced on March 10 at a conference that Barbados, Guyana an Jamaica had agreed to take part in multilateral security arrangements that would defend the territorial integrity of an independent Belize. This agreement did not come into force since at the time Belize's Independence date could not be agreed upon. On May 18, the Gutemalan foreign minister, Señor Adolfo Molina Orantes said in a press interview that his government maintained its demand for a cession of territory by Belize. He insisted that the two governments set up a join military staff, consultations on Belize's external relations and economic integration into the Central American system. The British Permanent Representative at the U.N. announced on November 28 that a four- point proposal had been put to Guatemala to resolve the conflict with Belize. Development aid including help with construction of roads to facilitate Guatemala's access to the coast, free port in the Port of Belize and a revision of the seaward boundaries of the two countries to guarantee permanent access for Guatemala to the open sea. On December 7 the Guatemalan foreign minister, Señor Castillo Valdez announced that the British plan for the settlement of the dispute with Belize was unacceptable and that he would now deal directly with Belize.
[Show full text]
Personal Transformation Warrant Officer Dennis Aranda
UNCLASSIFIED Running Head: Belizean Soldiers Belizean Soldiers in Haiti: Personal Transformation Warrant Officer Dennis Aranda Belizean Defence Force September 4-December 16, 1994 CARICOM Task Force 1 October 2006 Class 57 Abstract This autobiographical story traces my path as a young Belizean Soldier facing my first potential combat mission. At that point in my career, I had limited experiences and training in Belizean Defence Force. It had never crossed my mind that I would be called on to serve so early in my career – or to serve in a CARICOM Force bound for Haiti and Operation Uphold Democracy. The events of those few months were at first unnerving, but over time I found inner strength and proved to be an effective leader. The experience set the tone for my future as an enlisted leader. 2 Belizean Soldiers in Haiti: Personal Transformation On the afternoon of September 5, 1994, while on operational duties in the deep jungle of the southern part of Belize, my patrol commander received a call on HF radio. He told me to standby to be extracted from patrol as soon as possible. The first question that came to my mind as a young lance corporal on that cool evening was, ―Is something wrong in my family?‖ My dilemma worsened 25 minutes later when a British helicopter landed at our location to take me back to camp. On arrival, my company commander was there to greet me, so my mind began to drift. After exiting the helicopter and moving in his general direction, he stepped forward, stuck out his hand, and said, ―Congratulations, you have been selected as a part of Belize’s Contingent to Haiti along with other CARICOM Forces.‖ I was caught off guard by this comment, but at least I knew my family was fine.
[Show full text]
2020 Ombudsman Annual Report
2020 ANNUAL REPORT OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN D O N T S U F F E R I N S I L E N C E W W W . O M B U D S M A N . G O V . B Z | 9 1 F R E E T O W N R O A D , B E L I Z E C I T Y . | 5 0 1 - 2 2 3 - 3 5 9 4 2020 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | LIST OF ACRONYMS AGM Attorney General’s Ministry BBA Belize Bar Association BCP Belize Central Prison BDF Belize Defence Force BMC Belize Medical Council CC Criminal Code CCRC Civilian Complaint Review Committee CITO Central Information Technology Office CRF Consolidated Revenue Fund DHS Department of Human Services EIDHR European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights EU European Union FOIA Freedom of Information Act GOB Government of Belize IBC International Business Companies IFSC International Financial Services Commission JP Justice of the Peace LSD Lands and Surveys Department NFIS National Financial Literacy and Inclusion Project NGBVC National Gender-Based Violence Committee NHRI National Human Rights Institution NWC National Women’s Commission OA Ombudsman Act ORC Ombudsman Reports Committee PD Police Department SSB Social Security Board UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activities UNHCR United Nations High Commission for Refugee Office of the Ombudsman nd 91 Freetown Road, 2 Floor T. (501) 223-3594, F. (501) 223-3198 P.O. Box 1376 E-mail: [email protected] Belize City, Belize Website: www.ombudsman.gov.bz Ref: 001/HROMB/2021 23rd February 2021 Hon.
[Show full text]
Belize Population and Housing Census 2010: Country Report
POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS 2010 BELIZE POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS 2010 COUNTRY REPORT i 2010 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS Copyright © 2013, The Statistical Institute of Belize Short sections of this publication may be copied for individual use without permission, provided the source is fully acknowledged. Otherwise, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Statistical Institute of Belize. Published by The Statistical Institute of Belize 1902 Constitution Drive P.O. Box 617 Belmopan, Belize C.A. Telephone: 501-822-2207 Email: [email protected] Web: www.statisticsbelize.org.bz ii POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS 2010 Table of Contents LIST OF TABLES ..............................................................................................................VI LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... XII MINISTER’S REMARKS .................................................................................................... XIII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .....................................................................................................XV INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1 Definition of Some Concepts used in Census 2010 ................................................................................
[Show full text]
AJ Eke. Army Helicopter Casualty Evacuations in Belize in 1995 And
J R Army Med Corps: first published as 10.1136/jramc-143-02-04 on 1 June 1997. Downloaded from J R Army Med Corps 1997; 143: 93-96 Army Helicopter Casualty Evacuations in Belize in 1995 and 1996 Maj AJ Eke MS, SS, DIH, MFOM, DAvMed, RAMC* Senior Specialist in Aviation Medicine Aviation Branch, Headquarters Land Command, Airfield Camp, Netheravon, Salisbury, Wilts, SP4 9SF. SUMMARY: Since the withdrawal of Royal Air Force Puma helicopters from Belize in 1994, the role of casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) of British military personnel, Belizean citizens and foreign nationals throughout the country, has passed to 25 Flight Army Air Corps, currently equipped with Gazelle helicopters. Details of casualty evacuations during 1995 and 1996 have been collated and analysed in order to provide information on casualty types, and the locations from which casualties have been evacuated, during this 2 year period. The data so obtained might be used to ensure the future provision of an appropriately equipped CASEVAC helicopter, or to highlight common causes of significant morbidity in British troops deployed to Belize. Background City may exceed 12 hours, and night-time travel is Belize is. a developing country to the east of Guatemala particularly hazardous. and south of Mexico in Central America, approximately the Helicopters have a number of uses in casualty care: size of Wales, and with a total population of some 216,000 improvement of response time where casualties are in (Fig 1). The country's topography can be divided into 4 remote areas; earlier delivery of advanced medicalguest. Protected by copyright. main regions: a northern flat plain, with some cultivated intervention; increased speed in transportation of the areas and other areas covered in dense scrub and trees; a casualty; direct delivery to the most appropriate specialist central mountain range, with steep sided hills covered in centre; and interhospital transfers (1).
[Show full text]
Note to Chairs of Security Council Sanctions Committees
Information Note1 Event: National round table on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) Organizers: Government of the Belize, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) / Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC). Date and venue: 23 February 2015, Belmopan, Belize Participants: Government of Belize: Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belize Defence Force, Belize Coast Guard, National Security Council Secretariat, Customs & Excise Department, Attorney General Ministry and Police. International Organizations: 1540 Committee Experts UNLIREC CARICOM 1. Objectives Make a presentation on resolution 1540 (2004), highlighting its obligations. Discuss and analyse with the participants the 1540 matrix of Belize and exchange views on how to address any gaps identified. 2. Background Operative paragraph 7 of resolution 1540 (2004) recognises that some States may require assistance in implementing the provisions of the resolution. Operative paragraph 14 of resolution 1977 (2011), inter alia, urged relevant international organisations to inform the Committee of areas in which they can provide assistance. In operative paragraph 11(a) of resolution 1810 (2008), the pursuit of the ongoing dialogue between the 1540 Committee and States are encouraged. UNODA through UNLIREC, organized a national roundtable on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) on 23 February 2015 in Belmopan, Belize. This activity took place in the context of Phase 1 of UNLIREC's Assistance Package on strengthening the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in Caribbean States. This was the fifth roundtable aimed at strengthening national legislation and policy frameworks in support of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Similar UNODA / UNLIREC roundtables were 1 For information - not an official report.
[Show full text]
Subsid Defence Cap
BELIZE DEFENCE ACT CHAPTER 135 REVISED EDITION 2003 SHOWING THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS AS AT 31ST OCTOBER, 2003 This is a revised edition of the Subsidiary Laws, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000. ARRANGEMENT OF SUBSIDIARY LAWS BELIZE DEFENCE ACT CHAPTER 135 REVISED EDITION 2003 SHOWING THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS AS AT 31ST OCTOBER, 2003 This is a revised edition of the Subsidiary Laws, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000. This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws- Page 1. DEFENCE (EMPLOYMENT OF FORCE OUTSIDE BELIZE) ORDER 5 2. DEFENCE (OFFICER) REGULATIONS 7 Defence [CAP. 135 3 Page 3. DEFENCE (PREMATURE VOLUNTARY RELEASE) REGULATIONS 15 4. DEFENCE (PROCEDURE) RULES 19 5. A PROCLAMATION CALLING OUT THE BELIZE DEFENCE FORCE VOLUNTEER ELEMENT (HURRICANE KEITH) 149 6. A PROCLAMATION CALLING OUT THE BELIZE DEFENCE FORCE VOLUNTEER ELEMENT (HURRICANE IRIS) 150 7. DEFENCE (MISCELLANEOUS) REGULATIONS 151 8. DEFENCE (REGULAR FORCE ENLISTMENT AND SERVICE) REGULATIONS 163 9. DEFENCE (PAY AND ALLOWANCES) REGULATIONS 168 10. DEFENCE (PENSIONS AND OTHER GRANTS) REGULATIONS 174 11. DEFENCE (RESERVE) REGULATIONS 194 12. DEFENCE (LONG SERVICE MEDALS) REGULATIONS 198 THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2003 Printed by the Government Printer, No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of []the Government of Belize. 4 CAP. 135] Defence Page 13. DEFENCE (15TH ANNIVERSARY MEDAL) REGULATIONS 203 14. DEFENCE (RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IN PEACETIME) REGULATIONS 207 ____________ THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2003 Printed by the Government Printer, No.
[Show full text]
The Caribbean
S PEC IAL S E C TIO N The Caribbean Defence and Security The non-Spanish speaking Caribbean is an area of vast heterogeneity politically, culturally and linguistically and reﬂ ects still the scramble for colonies there in the centuries after the discovery of the Americas. The community of states there is made up of a number of former British, Dutch and French colonies, both island and continental, most of which are now independent but some of which remain either British dependencies or integral parts of the King- dom of the Netherlands and of France. The former British colonies have an admirable reputation for democratic good governance and orderly civil-military relations. Nonetheless there are a number of maritime jurisdictional and territorial disputes in being and a ﬁ erce independent spirit among the countries which has held back many at- tempts at closer cooperation. A number of cooperative security schemes, especially against the high threat posed by the illegal narcotics trade and supported especially by the United States, the European nations present in the area, and Canada, are in place, and economic and political cooperation is growing. Belize Commonwealth of The Bahamas Antigua and Barbuda Commonwealth of Dominica Belize Defence Force Royal Bahamas Defence Force Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Dominica Police Force Belize Police Department Royal Bahamas Police Force Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Defence Force Saint Lucia Royal Saint Kitts and
[Show full text]