Country Of Belize

© 2002 U.S. Embassy Belize     Country Commercial Guide - Belize   The Country Commercial Guide for Belize is provided as a comprehensive source of ... [Read More]

International Adoption Belize

7 ADOPTION AUTHORITY IN Belize: Prospective adoptive parents interested in general information on adopting from Belize may also contact the Belize Human Services Department at: [Read More]

USMLO

The USMLO-Belize administers United States Government (USG) military assistance to the Government of Belize by providing for, planning and executing the U.S. Security Assistance program; administering the International Military Education and Training program; and coordinating a Humanitarian Assistance and Humanitarian Civil Actions program to foster the country of Belize military competence and further USG national policies, programs and interests in the region. ... [Read More]

Visiting Belize

VISITING BELIZE Belize, previously known as British Honduras, lies on the East coast of Central America in the heart of the Caribbean Basin, bordering on Mexico to the North, Guatemala to the West and South, and flanked by the Caribbean Sea to the East.  Thousands of Americans visit Belize every year, drawn by the clear blue ocean, world-class diving, Mayan ruins, and lush jungles.  Still others come to explore the possibility of doing business in the country.  T ... [Read More]

US Projects in Belize

Although the Embassy in Belize City serves as the focal point for the U.S. mission, the United States has other offices and programs throughout the country.  These programs include the highly successful assistance programs run by the Peace Corps, and the military cooperation programs of the U.S. Military Liaison Office.  For more information on these and other projects of the United States in Belize, please see the pages listed below. 11 11 1111 1111 [Read More]

Belize

U.S. Department of State [Read More]

Belize

Some of the most common complaints received by the office of the Ombudsman involved alleged misconduct and abuse by police and Department of Corrections personnel. The Ombudsman reported that the number of such reports decreased; however, a number of cases of alleged abuses featured in the press were never reported to the Ombudsman's office. In many cases, the Government ignored reports of abuses; withheld action until the case had faded from the public's attention, at which point no action was taken; or transferred guilty officers to other districts. Despite this generally poor approach, the Government did take action in a small number of cases. The Ombudsman stated that police use of force was appropriate in the majority of cases he investigated, usually due to the complainant having resisted arrest, even if the level of force used was sometimes excessive. ... [Read More]

Background Notes

Belize is a parliamentary democracy on the Westminster model and is a member of the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and is represented in the country by Gov. Gen. Sir Colville N. Young, Sr., a Belizean and Belize's second governor general. The primary executive organ of government is the cabinet, led by a prime minister (head of government). Cabinet ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament and usually hold elected seats in the National Assembly concurrently with their cabinet positions. The National Assembly consists of a House of Representatives and a Senate. The 29 members of the House are popularly elected to a maximum 5-year term. Of the Senate's eight members, five are elected by the prime mini ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Cyprus is a destination country for women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers who forced women into prostitution continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas. There was increasing evidence of Chinese women being trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cyprus made some progress in its anti-trafficking efforts over the past year. The new police anti-trafficking unit produced successful results and showed vigilance in combating the problem. Government recognition of the problem improve ... [Read More]