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So, while the press had an opportunity to talk to spokesperson of the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes Association, we asked her for an update on the efforts that the Government has been making to implement the CCJ judgment of 2015. The Government is supposed to make those customary rights a real thing that is respected by the formal land system at the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The Mayans have complained that they interpret the Government’s lack of measurable process as the state dragging its feet. 

Today, Coc went a bit further to say that they believe that the Government isn’t demonstrating any political will, and that they are ignoring the rule of law. Here’s how she explained it:

Cristina Coc - Spokesperson, MLA/TAA
“The Government, unfortunately, even despite the fact that they came to a consent order, they have failed to demonstrate any political will to implement this consent order. Whether that be by a difference in interpretation, the Government has still not yet told us what their interpretation is with respect to the nature of those rights. We feel abundantly clear that the courts have litigated that, have clarified what the nature of those rights are, and we recognize that it is equal to any other form of property rights, protected under the constitution of Belize. We also feel that it is the Government's attempt to continue to ignore the decision of the court. While we attempt to implement this decision, regardless of the fact that they continue to demonstrate a lack of political will, we don't want to see - and we've said this some 15 years ago - we do not want to be tied up in the courts, tied up in negotiations, and at the same time, our lands are being destroyed. Our lands are being completely degraded, as a result of the Government's insistence to stand in denial of court orders. We call on the Government of Belize to uphold the rule of law. It is a very dangerous precedence that the state sets itself fails to follow the rule of law.”

We’ll keep following the latest developments on this matter.