Section 1

Commissions of Inquiry 27 Ch.70. [8th July, 1999.] WHEREAS, a shooting incident occurred on the 12th June, 1999 in the border village of Arenal, Cayo District, involving certain members of the Belize Security Forces, which resulted in the death of MATEO RAMIREZ, a Guatemalan National; AND WHEREAS, there are conflicting versions of the incident given by the witnesses leading to public controversy as to the true facts; AND WHEREAS after consultation with the National Security Council of Belize, it seems to me desirable that an impartial and independent inquiry be instituted into the said incident and that a Commission of Inquiry shall issue as hereinafter mentioned; NOW KNOW YE that by virtue of the powers and authority vested in me by section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 70 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 1980-1990,I, SAID MUSA, PRIME MINISTER, do by this Commission appoint you the said HERBERT LORD, ESQUIRE, INEZ SANCHEZ, ESQUIRE and MRS. MARIA GAMERO, to be the Commissioners for the purposes hereinafter mentioned with all the powers by the said 28 Commissions of Inquiry Act conferred and I DO authorise you the said Commissioners in the manner in the said Act provided to make a full, faithful and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of the said MATEO RAMIREZ, with specific reference to the following matters, to wit– (a) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the said Mateo Ramirez on the 12th June, 1999, near the border village of Arenal, Cayo District; (b) to determine whether any excessive or unjustifiable force was used by the Belize Security Forces; (c) to hear and inquire into any other matter relating to the above. I HEREBY DIRECT that you the said HERBERT LORD, ESQUIRE, shall be the Chairman of the said Commission to hold the inquiry aforesaid and I also direct that each of you having made and subscribed an oath or affirmation as required by law and having deposited the same with the Secretary to the Cabinet, you do hold your meetings at such place or places and at such time or times as you the said Commissioners may appoint and that you the said Commissioners do make report as soon as may be practicable of the result of your inquiries with such comments and recommendations as you may think fit, furnishing me with full statement of your proceedings and of the reasons leading to the conclusions and recommendations at which you may arrive or report. I DO HEREBY FURTHER DIRECT that the inquiry shall, except when you deem it necessary or advisable to do otherwise, be held in public. AND I DO HEREBY REQUIRE AND DIRECT that all public officers and other persons to whom you may apply for Commissions of Inquiry 29 assistance or information for the purposes of your investigation to render all such assistance and furnish all such information as may be rendered and furnished in that behalf. MADE at Belmopan this 1st day of July, 1999. Prime Minister