Jonah Patel
The Constitution of Belize was written in 1981, the year the country gained independence from Great Britain. The constitution has been amended several times since its enactment—eight times to be precise. The most notable changes include the removal of a prohibition against multiple citizenship and the introduction of an economic citizenship provision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | 1981 |
| Date enacted | 21 September 1981 |
| Date amended | 1985, 2001, 2005, 2008-2012 |
| Location written | Belize |
| Responsible for writing | Rt. Hon. George Price, Harry Courtenay, V.H. Courtenay, Assad Shoman, Said Musa, C.L.B. Rogers |
| Influences | Constitution of Guyana, Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, other Commonwealth Countries' Constitutions |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution of Belize was written in 1981
- It was drafted by a task force appointed by Rt. Hon. George Price
- It came into effect on Belize's Independence Day
- The Constitution has been amended eight times since 1981
- The most notable change was the removal of a prohibition against multiple citizenship
The Constitution of Belize was written in 1981
The road to Belize's independence began in 1963 when the country, then known as British Honduras, gained full internal self-government. That same year, a new constitution was passed. In 1970, the National Assembly was inaugurated in Belmopan, and an ordinance was passed to change the name of the colony of British Honduras to Belize, which came into effect in 1973. In the late 1970s, Belize was engaged in a territorial dispute with Guatemala, but it became clear that Belize had more international support and a stronger case. As a result, the talk of independence gained momentum.
In 1979, the People's United Party (PUP) won the general elections, and the seeds of a new constitution began to fall into place. In 1980, the United Nations and Organization of American States both called for Belize's independence by the end of 1981. On January 31, 1981, the Belize government issued a White Paper that initiated discussions on the proposed Independence Constitution. Despite some setbacks, a Constitutional Conference was held in April, and by July, the details were approved by the reigning monarch. Belize became independent on September 21, with the new constitution going into effect on the same day.
The Constitution of Belize was drafted by a task force appointed by Rt. Hon. George Price, which included his most trusted ministers: V.H. Courtenay, Assad Shoman, Said Musa, and C.L.B. Rogers. Harry Courtenay, widely regarded as the "Father of the Constitution," led the task force and used the constitutions of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago as working documents in framing the Belize Constitution.
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It was drafted by a task force appointed by Rt. Hon. George Price
The Constitution of Belize was drafted by a task force appointed by Rt. Hon. George Price, who served as the country's first minister. The task force was made up of Price's most trusted ministers: V.H. Courtenay, Assad Shoman, Said Musa, and C.L.B. Rogers. Harry Courtenay, or Harry Courtney as he is referred to by some, is widely regarded as the "Father of the Constitution."
The constitution was drafted in the lead-up to Belize's independence from Great Britain in 1981. On January 31, 1981, the Belizean government issued a White Paper that initiated discussions on the proposed Independence Constitution. Despite a hostile reception of the Heads of Agreement in March, a Constitutional Conference was held in April, and by July, the details were approved by the reigning monarch. The Constitution of Belize went into effect on September 21, 1981, the same date that Belize gained its independence.
The Constitution of Belize outlines the responsibilities and powers of the country's government, with the Parliament of Belize being wholly charged with making laws for the peace, order, and good governance of the nation. The constitution also establishes the House of Representatives and the Senate, with the former presided over by a Speaker and the latter by a President. The composition of the elected House of Representatives under the independent Constitution changed from 18 to 28 seats, and the term of office was increased to five years.
Since its enactment, the Constitution of Belize has been amended several times—eight times, to be precise. The first amendment came in 1985, which made changes to the country's citizenship requirements. Another notable change was the removal of a prohibition against multiple citizenship and the introduction of an "economic citizenship" provision that granted citizenship to those who made substantial contributions to Belize's economy or well-being. This provision was later repealed in 2001 due to criticism that it allowed the sale of Belizean passports to non-residents. In 2010, the Constitution was amended again to make the Caribbean Court of Justice the highest court of appeals in Belize, replacing the Privy Council.
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It came into effect on Belize's Independence Day
The Constitution of Belize came into effect on September 21, 1981, coinciding with the country's independence from Great Britain. The constitution has been amended several times since its enactment, with eight amendments made between 2008 and 2012 alone.
The journey towards Belize's independence began in 1963 when the colony of British Honduras gained full internal self-government. That same year, a new British Honduras Constitution was passed, and the Legislative Assembly was renamed the National Assembly, consisting of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
In the late 1970s, Belize was engaged in a territorial dispute with Guatemala, which brought the issue of independence to the forefront. Belize had strong international support and a solid case, and demands by Guatemala and the United Kingdom for Belize to cede territory were rejected. The ruling People's United Party, led by Premier George Cadle Price, stood firm against these demands.
In 1979, the PUP won the general elections, and the process towards an independent constitution gained momentum. In 1980, the United Nations and the Organization of American States called for Belize's independence by the end of 1981. A White Paper was issued by the Belizean government in January 1981, initiating discussions on the proposed Independence Constitution. Despite initial opposition, a Constitutional Conference was held in April, and by July, the details were approved by the reigning monarch.
Belize's independence was declared on September 21, 1981, with the Constitution going into effect on the same day. The Constitution of Belize has been amended multiple times since its ratification to accommodate the evolving needs of the nation and its people.
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The Constitution has been amended eight times since 1981
Belize's constitution came into effect on 21 September 1981, the same day the country gained independence from Great Britain. The constitution has been amended eight times since 1981.
The first amendment was made in 1985 to change Belize's citizenship requirements. The most notable change was the removal of a prohibition against multiple citizenship and the introduction of an "economic citizenship" provision. This provision granted citizenship to anyone who made a substantial contribution to the economy and/or well-being of Belize. This amendment was criticised for allowing the sale of Belizean passports to foreigners who had never resided in the country, and it was eventually repealed in 2001.
In 1993, the Representation of the People Act was amended to increase the number of elected Members of the House of Representatives from 28 to 29. The Belize Constitution (Fourth Amendment) Act of 2001 increased the number of Senators from 8 to 12. Then, in 2005, an amendment to the Representation of People Act further increased the number of elected Members from 29 to 31.
In 2010, the Constitution was amended to replace the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice as the highest court of appeals in Belize.
The constitution of Belize was first drafted in 1954, when the Legislative Assembly of British Honduras held its first session in Belize City. The country was then a British colony, and the Legislative Assembly was renamed the National Assembly in 1963 when a new constitution was passed. This constitution came into effect on 31 December 1963, and the colony was renamed Belize in 1973.
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The most notable change was the removal of a prohibition against multiple citizenship
The Constitution of Belize came into effect on December 31, 1963, when the Legislative Assembly was renamed the National Assembly. It was amended several times after its ratification in 1981, with the most notable change being the removal of a prohibition against multiple citizenship.
Belize's constitution was first amended in 1985 to alter the country's citizenship requirements. The most significant of these changes was the removal of a ban on multiple citizenships, also known as dual citizenship. This was a notable shift, as by the mid-20th century, dual nationality was largely prohibited worldwide. The consensus at the time was that dual citizenship would lead to diplomatic issues, and many governments began revoking the citizenship of those who acquired a second one.
The removal of the prohibition against multiple citizenship in Belize meant that a person could be recognised simultaneously by more than one country as a citizen or national under that country's laws. While this can strengthen ties between migrants and their countries of origin, it can also lead to complexities. For example, a country that permits dual citizenship may not recognise the other citizenship of its nationals within its territory or allow consular access by another country for a dual citizen. There may also be restrictions on dual citizens serving in armed forces or holding certain public offices.
Belize also introduced an "economic citizenship" provision, granting citizenship to those who made substantial contributions to the country's economy or well-being. This provision was criticised for allowing the sale of Belizean passports to foreigners who had never resided in the country and was repealed in 2001.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of Belize was written in Belize. It was drafted by a task force appointed by Rt. Hon. George Price and was made up of his most trusted ministers: V.H. Courtenay, Assad Shoman, Said Musa and C.L.B. Rogers.
The Constitution of Belize was written in 1981, the same year the country gained independence from Great Britain. The Constitution came into effect on September 21, 1981, and has been amended eight times since.
The Constitution of Belize was written by a task force appointed by Rt. Hon. George Price, which included V.H. Courtenay, Assad Shoman, Said Musa, and C.L.B. Rogers. Harry Courtenay, a member of the task force, is widely regarded as the "Father of the Constitution".
