Section 1

Commissions of Inquiry 33 [4th August, 2001.] WHEREAS it has come to my attention that on or around the 30th July 2001, members of the Belize Police Department supported by the Belize Defence Force, were deployed to the Tower Hill Bridge, Orange Walk District, to clear a roadblock in connection with a demonstration relating to the issuance of a Road Transport permit by the Transport Department; AND WHEREAS it appears that the demonstration escalated into a protest involving an exchange between protesters and security personnel including the use of firearms; AND WHEREAS, following this incident, I was advised by the Minister for National Security that a full, faithful and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding and leading to the demonstration and subsequent exchanges between protesters and security personnel on Monday, July 30th 2001, at the Tower Hill Bridge, Orange Walk District, should be held without undue delay; AND WHEREAS, based on the advice of the Minister for National Security, it seems to me desirable to appoint a 34 Commissions of Inquiry Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances of the demonstration and the subsequent exchanges between protesters and security personnel at the Tower Hill Bridge, Orange Walk District: NOW KNOW YE that by virtue of the powers and authority vested in me by section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 127 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000,I, SAID MUSA, PRIME MINISTER, do by this Commission, appoint you the said ZUNIGA, ESQUIRE, and THE REVEREND LAZARUS AUGUSTINE, ESQUIRE, to be the Commissioners for the purpose hereinafter mentioned with all the powers by the said Act conferred, and I do authorize the said Commissioners in the manner in the said Act provided, to make a full, faithful and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding and leading to the demonstration and subsequent violent exchanges between protesters and security personnel at the Tower Hill Bridge, Orange Walk District, on Monday, July 30th 2001, with specific reference to the following matters, to wit– (a) the circumstances surrounding and leading to the demonstration relating to the issuance of a Road Transport permit by the Transport Department on Monday, July 30th 2001; (b) the circumstances surrounding and leading to the exchanges between protesters and security personnel on Monday, July 30th 2001; (c) where possible, to determine whether any breakdown in the system of administration of the issuance of road transport permits occurred; (d) whether, in all the circumstances, the use of force by security personnel was reasonable; Commissions of Inquiry 35 (e) make recommendations based on the results of the findings of the Commission aimed at preventing a recurrence of such incidents; (f) any other matter relating to the above. I HEREBY DIRECT that you the said JUSTICE CHRISTOPHER ARTHUR BLACKMAN, shall be the Chairman of the said Commission to hold the inquiry as 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 a 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 all public officers and other persons to whom you may apply for assistance or information for the purposes of your investigation to render all such assistance and furnish all such information as may be rendered or furnished in that behalf. MADE in Belmopan this 2nd day of August, 2001. Prime Minister