Our Mission & Mandate

To improve the quality of life through continuous education and changes in public policies in order to create a culture of human rights in Belize.

The human Rights commission of Belize is an independent non-governmental organization. Non-profit, non-partisan, humanitarian for the promotion and defence of Human Rights. It is politically impartial towards government and to the opposition. The Commission is governed by a Memorandum and Article of Association and is registered under the Company’s Ordinance, chapter 206 of the Laws of Belize (revised in 1980).

The Human Rights Commission of Belize is formed by a General Assembly, a Board of Directors and a permanent Secretariat.

The General Assembly is the maximum authority of the Commission and consists of all its members. The General Assembly meets annually to revise the work of the previous year and to establish new policies, when necessary.

The Board of directors is elected by the general assembly every two years and is responsible for the administration of the Commission, in accordance to the policies and direction of the General Assembly. The Board of Directors is the maximum authority of the Commission when the General Assembly is not in session.

All the personnel of the permanent Secretariat is elected by the Board of Directors. The Permanent Secretariat is under the direction of the General Coordinator, who is responsible to the day to day operation of the Commission in conformity with the directives of the Board of Directors. (Presently not applicable as there is no funding).

The Commission is formed for the expressed purpose of its Memorandum of Association and these are:

1. Promote and defend human rights in Belize.
2. Establish and maintain the Institution and the mechanisms necessary for its promotion and defence.
3. Assure the ratification and adherence of the Government of Belize to the International Convention in Human Rights.
4. Promote the awareness of Human Rights through the incorporation of human rights in the Education system of Belize.
5. Establish affiliation with National and International Organizations related to the promotion and defense of human rights in the world in general and in our region in particular.

The Commission of Human Rights is annexed to educational activities and to programs in human rights as a positive measure to assure the knowledge and respect for Human Rights and also as a preventive measure to minimize violations to these rights.

The Commission of Human Rights will investigate any complaints on violations to human rights and where previously notified, will make a denunciation publicly, nationally and internationally.

The Commission of Human Rights will seek the support of all individuals and organizations in Belize, private and public, to reach its objectives and to co-operate and work together with any other organization in the promotion and defense of human rights.

The Commission or Human Rights in Belize cannot offer economical or financial benefits to its members or to the public at large. The Commission depends on voluntary work and financial contributions of its members and others concerned with the promotion and defense of human rights.

Its work consists on the contribution of assuring that human rights, peace, democracy and the right to life and its fundamental liberty is respected.

The Human Rights Commission of Belize was inaugurated on the 10th December, 1987.