IACHR concludes visit to Belize

October 30, 2024

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IACHR) concluded its technical cooperation, promotional and Follow-up of Recommendations visit to Belize, which took place from October 15 to 18, 2024.

The visit focused on promoting the Inter-American System of Human Rights, technical cooperation mechanisms and capacity building, strengthening the Commission's relations with the country to increase collaboration in human rights, as well as conducting meetings to gather information relevant to the State's progress with Case 12.053 on the Maya Indigenous communities in Toledo.

The visit was led by Commissioner Jose Caballero Ochoa, Second Vice-President and Country Rapporteur for Belize. The Commissioner expressed appreciation to the State for its interest in the work of the IACHR, its willingness to collaborate with the Inter-American system, and for facilitating the visit. He was pleased with the high level of participation by public officials who showed keen interest during meetings, and in the capacity building session that was carried out for the State.

The visit to Belize is aligned with IACHR's Strategic Plan 2023-2027, and the IACHR's commitment to intensify its work in the Caribbean, to increase technical cooperation and capacity building, and to promote the ratification of the Inter-American human rights instruments.

Meetings were held with the executive and legislative branches of government, as well as with non-state actors from civil society. The delegation met with the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Minister and senior functionaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministers of Human Development, Families & Indigenous Affairs, Home Affairs, Sustainable Development and Climate Change and the Attorney-General as well as the Office of the Ombudsman. The delegation also met with the Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. In addition, a training workshop on the Inter-American human rights system was conducted for the public service and for civil societies organizations.   

The delegation appreciated the opportunity to successfully conduct meetings to gather information on the State's progress with Case 12.053 on the Maya indigenous communities in Toledo.

The Commission thanks the State of Belize for its logistical support during the visit and for its commitment to collaborate on capacity building and promoting the Inter-American Standards on human rights. The IACHR would also like to thank all non-state actors for their keen participation in the meetings and training sessions and for sharing valuable information, as well as the representatives of the Case 12.053 on the Maya indigenous communities for organizing and participating in a working meeting in the district of Toledo.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their respective countries of origin or residence.

No. 268/24

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