At the last sitting of the House of Representatives, the amendment to the marriage bill was passed with full support from both the government and the opposition. And today, it was also fully endorsed by the Senate. Both sides plus the social partners agreed on the importance of the bill, and leader of government business, Eamon Courtenay, said it was a human rights issue.
Eamon Courtenay, Leader of Government Business
"It is the position of the member of the senate and indeed the government of Belize that this bill is important, it is transformative, it is in the Belizean people's interest and we seek the support of the entire senate for this modernizing piece of social legislation. Madam President, we are debating a matter of constitutional importance. This is a human rights issue. I put it as high as that because for too long we have allowed in our country, infants to be married and infants to be married with the consent of their parents. In any maturing and evolving democracy as we are, which is founded on a constitution, which guarantees to each person, equality before the law, and the equal protection of the law. Child marriage and early unions should be made unlawful."
Michael Peyrefitte, UDP Senator
"I think that marriage is such a serious act and a serious responsibility that you can only be engaged in that act in your own free will and i think to use the number 18 is indicative of what we look at at the age of 18. At the age of 18, you are an adult and you should only enter into that union assuming you have the right faculties and it is a decision you are making for yourself, especially our young ladies. So the law is now on the verge of saying you can only get married if you're an adult and nobody can force you or make you get married to who you do not want to get married to. So we praise the legislation and we congratulate the government, as much as it pains me to say that, we congratulate the government on changing the law, we are in full support on this side of the assembly and we give kudos to the bill being passed today."
Glenfield Dennison, Senator
"The age of consent has been something that has been raised throughout the years. I'm not sure who all are aware but it used to be 14 prior to 2005. The parliament at that time saw it fit to raise the age to 16 in act 28 in 2005 and that was a bold step forward. We are here now on the recommendation of the good work of the NCFC, we thank you for your work and dedication."
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