Constitution of Belize

The Constitution of Belize is the supreme law of the nation of Belize. It was signed in September 1981 with effect from that date.

The Constitution of Belize, Chapter 4 of the Laws of Belize, is divided into a preamble, 12 parts and four schedules. They are set out as below.

According to the Constitution, the people of Belize:

and say that the following shall have effect as the Constitution of Belize.

Comprises sections 1 and 2.

Comprises sections 3-22.

Comprises sections 23-9

Sections 30-35.

Sections 36-54.

Largest part, covering sections 55-93.

Sections 94-104.

Sections 105-113.

Sections 114-120.

Sections 132-140.

Commencement. Revocations.

Belize in the late 1970s was engaged in a territorial dispute with Guatemala. It became increasingly clear that Belize had more international support and a stronger case, hence the talk of independence which had existed since self-government in 1963. Repeated demands by Guatemala and the United Kingdom that Belize cede territory were rejected by Premier George Cadle Price and the ruling People's United Party. By contrast, the newly formed Opposition United Democratic Party wanted the claim settled before proceeding to Independence. In the general elections of 1979, the PUP won and the seeds of the Constitution would begin 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.

January 31, 1981 saw a White Paper issued by the Government that began discussions on the proposed Independence Constitution. Despite March's hostile reception of the Heads of Agreement, a Constitutional Conference was held in April and by July the details were approved by the reigning monarch, paving the way for an Order of Independence to be issued by July 31 and debated in Parliament by August 10. Belize became independent on September 21, with the Constitution going into effect as of that date.

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