History
HRCB was founded on 10 December 1987 in response to labour issues that had arisen in the southern part of Belize. The General Coordinator was Antonio Gonzalez who sustained the post until Hivos pulled out its Financial Assistance. Billy Heusner took the helm as the General Coordinator/President until April 1995, during this period of time attention was given to Labour Rights due to the many abuses in the Banana Industry and all around Belize. When Billy Heusner he took over the Police abuses and Brutality cases, the death Penalty and Migrants rights became inclusive in the Commission’s work. In 1995 Mr Heusner resigned from the Board and the then Board Member Ms Ana Salazar invited Mrs. Maria Gamero to be a member of the HRCB and on their next meeting which was held in Corozal.
Ms Gamero was nominated to be the General Coordinator for the Commission. This was in September 1995; UNHCR was about to pull off its support and we felt we needed to continue the work and continue existing.
It must be said and recognized that during this period of time when Human Rights was unknown and misunderstood the pioneers went through a lot of harassment and discrimination; Mr. J Alonzo stated that he was unable to get a job for a long period of time due to his association with the Commission. For this reason, even on invitation he would not assist with us again but would state that we had his support.
1987-1997
In its first decade, HRCB collaborated with UNHCR in sensitizing the public to refugee and migrants’ rights. HRCB trainers travelled the country in delivering workshops in different migrant communities on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the rights contained in the Belize Constitution.
Belize had opened its borders to thousands of refugees who had fled their respective countries because of internal wars and here they were facing different situations and violations.
Responding to police brutality, labour and land complaints became the mainstay of HRCB’s work. (Should be able to click a link that provides some specific police brutality cases)
HRCB quickly became known for addressing an array of human rights issues that confronted people across the country. HRCB has conducted and continues to conduct educational workshops teaching communities and individuals about their fundamental human rights.
In its almost 30 years of existence, the organization has also taught students, teachers, nurses, police, custom and immigration officers, Community leaders as well as youths about human rights.
HRCB is also an advocacy organization and has assisted countless persons in pursuing fair outcomes to human rights violations they suffered at the hand of government agencies. Also, over the years HRCB has consistently worked with national, regional, and international counterparts in promoting human rights in Belize.