BELMOPAN, Bahamas, CMC – The Belize government says recent statements by a former opposition legislator against the Governor General, Dame Froyla Tzalam, are “unwarranted, unprecedented and unlawful” and intended to bring her into disrepute.
“Our laws further mandate that it is unlawful for any person to bring the Governor General in her official capacity into contempt, disrepute, or disaffection. Whether one agrees or disagrees with this, the fact remains that this is what the supreme law of the country and the laws of Belize commands,” the government statement noted.
Former United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator. Anthony Boots Martinez had recently lodged a recall petition against the ruling People’s United Party (PUP) legislator Gilroy Usher on January 16.
Martinez is reported to have delivered over 1,700 signatures to the Governor General’s office on that day. Still, he told a news conference that he had only been informed that the petitions had been sent to the office on February 21st.
“That is flouting the law. As the Governor General, assent all laws into play and have little things to do per day and all day to do it. I have some difficulty with that, and the Governor General is breaking the law. And I find that to be very delinquent, her office to be very disingenuous and totally dishonest,” he told reporters.
He said numerous calls were placed to the Governor General, “of which I believe, as the person that launched the petition, my channel for answers is the Governor General office.”
In its statement, the government said as “part of the constitutional structure of our democracy, Her Excellency, the Governor General, is the representative of the Crown. So significant is the role of Her Excellency as Head of State that the constitution mandates that the Prime Minister shall keep the Governor-General fully informed concerning the general conduct of the Government of Belize and shall furnish to the Governor General with such information as she may request concerning any particular matter relating to the Government of Belize.
“Recent statements by Anthony “Boots” Martinez to the media scandalizing and bringing Her Excellency into disrepute are unwarranted, unprecedented, and unlawful.
“The Cabinet has requested the Attorney General to provide advice on this matter,” the statement added.
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