Advanced search
image
Travel & living abroad

North & Central America and Caribbean

Belize

 Flag of Belize

Last reviewed: 10 August 2009

Country information

POLITICS

In the first post-independence elections in 1984, the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP), led by Manuel Esquivel, defeated the centre-left People's United Party (PUP), which under George Price had dominated national politics for nearly 30 years. Price was returned to power at the 1989 elections, but lost again in 1993 to the UDP. At the 1998 general election the PUP, led by Said Musa, achieved a landslide victory. The new government's agenda was strongly pro-poor and expansionary.

At the 2003 general election, the incumbent PUP government was re-elected for a second consecutive term.It was a second landslide victory for the PUP, winning 22 of the seats in the House of Representatives compared to the UDP's 7, and 53% of the popular vote compared to the UDP's 45%. It was also historic: this was the first time a government had been re-elected since independence in 1981.

The economy of Belize was traditionally based on forestry, mainly the export of logs, wood and mahogany. The economy is now based on agriculture and non-traditional export sectors such as marine products and tourism.

UK exports to Belize in 2008 totalled £7.9m and UK imports from Belize for the same period was £36.2m. [Statistical Institute of Belize]. Key exports include food and beverages, machinery and transport equipment and chemicals. Imports from Belize are chiefly vegetables, fruits and sugar. Major UK investors in Belize are Fyffes, Booker Tate, Kier Caribbean and Halcrow.


HUMAN RIGHTS

Belize has ratified the following international human rights treaties:

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination; Convention on the Rights of the Child; Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women; Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; Belize is also a Party to the American Convention on Human Rights and has accepted the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights based in San José.

In May 2009, Belize’s human rights record was reviewed under the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review mechanism. The Government of Belize adopted 36 recommendations of what to focus on during the next four years. The report of the working group for Belize’s review, and other related documents can be viewed here on the UPR website.

UK Support for Human Rights

The UK has supported a campaign to promote women's human rights in Belize and helped to set up the National Aids Commission in Belize, which HRH The Princess Royal opened in April 2001. We continue to lobby Belize for abolition of the death penalty. Belize has had a moratorium in place since 1985. We have also supported the creation of a Human Rights Centre in Belize. The UK actively participated in the review of Belize’s human rights situation at the Human Rights Council in May 2009.

Past Human Rights Abuses

The Belize Government generally has a good human rights record. There have been some alleged cases of excessive use of force including murder, arbitrary arrest and detention by the police, but these are the exception. Prison conditions are poor, though improving under the private not-for-profit management of the KOLBE Foundation. There are some concerns regarding the rights of children and women, despite national education and awareness campaigns.

Country information

Pick Another Country :

Share this with:

Travel Advice

Travel advice: Belize 

Useful Links


Contacts

Belize, Belmopan, British High Commission

Address:

British High Commission
PO Box 91
Belmopan

Telephone:

+ (501) 822 3146 - Consular direct
+ (501) 610 1045 - Duty officer

Fax:

+ (501) 822 2761

Email: brithicom@btl.net

Office hours:

GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 1400-1800/1900-2200
Fri: 1400-2000

Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1200/1300-1600
Fri: 0800-1400

Consular section opened 9 am to noon and 1-3 pm Monday through Thursdays and 10 am to 2 pm on Fridays

Website: http://ukinbelize.fco.gov.uk/en