Section 1

Commissions of Inquiry 39 [Gazetted 7th September, 2002.] PAUL RODRIGUEZ, Esq., MARK C. HULSE, Esq. WHEREAS, there have been public allegations of improprieties and irregularities at the Department of Immigration and Nationality in respect of the processing of Belizean nationality and passport applicants; AND WHEREAS, it seems to me desirable that in order to ensure the proper functioning of the Department of Immigration and Nationality and to restore public confidence in this Department it is vital to the national interest that an impartial and independent inquiry should be held into the said allegations 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 127 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, I, SAID W. MUSA, PRIME MINISTER, do by this Commission, appoint you the said Esq., ROMERO PALMA, and MARK HULSE, Esq., to be the Commissioners for the purpose hereinafter mentioned with all 40 Commissions of Inquiry the powers by the said Act conferred, and I do authorized the said Commissioners in the manner in the said Act provided, to make a full, faithful and impartial inquiry into the public allegations of irregularities at the Department of Immigration and Nationality, with specific reference to the following matters, to wit– (a) to determine whether any person was granted Belizean citizenship under the Economic Citizenship Program after the 15th January, 2002, the date when the Program was abolished; (b) to determine the number of persons who were granted Belizean citizenship during the period 15th January, 2002 to 31st July, 2002; (c) to determine whether any procedural irregularities were committed at the Department of Immigration and Nationality or elsewhere in respect of the processing and issuance of Belizean nationality and passport applications during the period 15th January, 2002 to 31st July, 2001, but not to assign criminal responsibility to any person; (d) to review the working of the Belizean Nationality Act and the Department of the Immigration and Nationality and to make recommendations with respect to amendment of the said Act and of the Immigration Act to address any areas of weakness or potential abuse; (e) to make recommendations for an overall improvement of the process for granting Belizean citizenship and for processing and granting all types of immigration permits Commissions of Inquiry 41 with a view to maintaining public confidence in the integrity of the system; (f) to conduct the inquiry in a manner which does not obstruct, interfere or hamper ongoing investigations into the matter. I HEREBY DIRECT that you the said PAUL RODRIGUEZ Esq., 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 you 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 REQUIRE AND DIRECT all public officers and other persons to whom you may apply for assistance or information for the purpose of your inquiry or render all such assistance and furnish all such information as may be or furnished in that behalf. MADE at Belmopan this, 30th day of August, 2002. Prime Minister