Belize's Laws: Enforced Or Not?

Belize is a constitutional parliamentary democracy with a legal system that covers a range of areas, including human rights, gender discrimination, abortion and reproductive health rights, domestic violence, and alcohol laws. While the country has laws in place, there are concerns about their enforcement, particularly in the areas of human rights, corruption, and labour rights. Belize is also a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, and while the police enforce laws criminalizing cannabis use, their efforts are hampered by limited funds, equipment, and personnel.

Belize's drinking laws

Belizes Drinking Laws

Belize is a popular tourist destination with a reputation for being a great place to let loose and have fun. With its many attractions, activities, and holidays, it's no surprise that visitors often want to party. As a rum-producing country, Belize offers a variety of local rums that visitors are encouraged to try. However, it's important to be aware of and follow the local drinking laws.

In Belize, the legal drinking age is 18, which is lower than in many other countries. Alcohol is widely available and can be purchased almost anywhere until midnight at convenience stores and until 3:00 am at casinos and nightclubs. While there were previously "Blue Laws" restricting alcohol sales on religious holidays, these were repealed in December 2022, allowing alcohol to be sold and consumed every day of the year.

Belize has strict laws against drinking and driving, with driving under the influence being a criminal offence. This includes driving golf carts, which are a common mode of transport on the islands. Police officers can administer sobriety tests, and those caught driving drunk may be detained for up to 36 hours and taken to a medical facility for a blood or urine sample. The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit in Belize is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, or 0.08, which is similar to the limit in the UK, Canada, and the US.

Public drunkenness is also illegal in Belize and is enforced. Drinking on public streets is prohibited, but it is allowed on resort properties. While open containers of alcohol are generally not allowed in public, there are some exceptions, such as during public dances or celebrations, as long as the liquor is in a plastic receptacle. In practice, enforcement of open container laws may be lenient, especially in tourist areas, but it's important to be discreet and not cause any disturbances.

When drinking in Belize, it's important to stay with a group and be cautious, especially when walking alone at night. There have been reports of drinks being spiked with drugs, so it's crucial to never leave your drink unattended and only accept drinks from trusted sources. Overall, while Belize is generally a safe country, it's always best to use caution when drinking, especially in unfamiliar places.

Driving under the influence laws

Belize has strict laws against driving under the influence of alcohol. Driving while drunk is a criminal offence in Belize and the police can pull you over and administer a sobriety test if they suspect you are under the influence. The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Belize is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, or 0.08%. If you are caught driving above the limit, you may be detained for up to 36 hours and taken to a public medical facility to provide a urine or blood sample. Refusal to do so will result in additional charges.

Belize's drinking and driving laws also apply to golf carts, the preferred mode of transport on the islands. The consequences of driving under the influence can be serious, and Belizean police officers can find creative ways to keep detainees in the 'piss house' (local slang for police lock-up) for longer than the legally mandated 72 hours.

Belize has a lower drinking age than many other countries, at just 18 years old. Alcohol is widely available and relatively easy to purchase, with a thriving nightlife scene. However, it is illegal to drink in public in Belize, except on resort property.

Public intoxication laws

Belize is a popular tourist destination, known for its relaxed attitude towards alcohol consumption. However, it's important to remember that the country has strict laws against public intoxication.

Public drunkenness is illegal in Belize, and this law is enforced. Drinking on public streets is prohibited, but drinking on resort property is allowed. The legal drinking age in Belize is 18, and alcohol can be purchased relatively easily in shops, casinos, and nightclubs.

Belize has a reputation for being a place to "let loose", and its laws around alcohol sales reflect this. Previously, the country had Blue Laws that governed the sale of liquor on religious holidays, but these were repealed in December 2022. Now, alcohol can be sold and consumed every day of the year, including religious holidays.

While public intoxication is prohibited, there are reports that this law is not always strictly enforced. If someone is not causing any problems or disturbances, the police may turn a blind eye. However, drinking and driving is taken very seriously in Belize, and can result in severe consequences.

It's important to note that Belize has a lower drinking age than many other countries, so visitors should be mindful of their alcohol consumption and avoid overindulging.

Domestic violence laws

Belize is a constitutional parliamentary democracy with a legal obligation to protect women and girls from domestic violence and sexual violence, including sexual harassment. The state is required to put the necessary legal and administrative mechanisms in place to protect women and girls from these forms of violence and to provide them with access to just and effective remedies.

The Domestic Violence Act 2007 creates a wide range of speedy and effective remedies aimed at reducing the incidences of domestic violence. The Family Court can grant protection orders, occupation orders, tenancy orders, and counselling orders. The protection order prohibits the abuser from engaging in certain activities such as molesting, following, or communicating with the victim. The court may also direct the abuser to compensate the victim for any financial loss suffered as a result of the abuse. The occupation order gives the victim the right to live in the home, and the tenancy order vests the tenancy in the victim's name. The duration of any order made by the court depends on how long it considers necessary for the victim's protection but cannot last for more than three years.

The Criminal Code "2000 Rev" recognizes a wide range of offences and has provisions to offer greater protection to minors and persons with mental disorders. Marital rape is defined as a man having sexual intercourse with his wife without her consent and knowing that she does not consent. The maximum penalty for marital rape is life imprisonment, and the minimum term of imprisonment is eight years.

The Protection Against Sexual Harassment Act 1996 "2000 Rev" protects against sexual harassment in employment, institutions, and accommodation. The Act defines sexual harassment as when a person makes an unwelcome sexual advance, request, or conduct towards another person, resulting in that person suffering some disadvantage in connection with their job or unreasonable interference with their performance. An employer should take immediate and appropriate action to correct any act of sexual harassment in the workplace; if they fail to do so, they can be held responsible.

The Belize Police Department has designated major police stations with domestic abuse officers, but due to understaffed stations, these measures are not always effective. There was a 2% decline in the number of domestic violence reports documented by the Belize Police Department for the period of January to December 2021 relative to the same period in 2020.

Abortion laws

Abortion is permitted by law to protect the life of the mother, or to protect the physical or mental health of the mother or any existing children. Additionally, abortions may be performed if there is a substantial risk of the child being born with severe handicaps. The law also states that "account may be taken of the pregnant woman's actual or reasonably foreseeable environment", indicating that abortions can be carried out on socio-economic grounds. However, there is no explicit exception for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.

Illegal abortions are common in Belize, especially among low-income women, due to legal restrictions and financial costs. In 1998, it was estimated that one in seven maternal deaths in the country were due to unsafe, illegal abortions.

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