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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Status of the Constitution
Belize, English
Nothing contained in any law in force immediately before Independence Day nor anything done under the authority of any such law shall, for a period of five years after Independence Day, be held to be inconsistent with or done in contravention of any of the provisions of this Part4. (Sec. 21)
Status of the Constitution
Belize, English
This Constitution is the supreme law of Belize and if any other law is inconsistent with this Constitution that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.
… (Sec. 2)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Belize, English
(1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (4), (5) and (7) of this section, no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
(3) In this section, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
(4) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision-
…
(d) whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subjected to any disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or advantage that, having regard to its nature and to special circumstances pertaining to those persons or to persons of any other such description, is reasonably justifiable.
… (Sec. 16)
Citizenship and Nationality
Belize, English
A person born outside Belize on or after Independence Day shall become a citizen of Belize at the date of his birth if, at that date, his father or mother is a citizen of Belize. (Sec. 25)
Citizenship and Nationality
Belize, English
Every person born in Belize on or after Independence Day shall become a citizen of Belize at the date of his birth:
Provided that a person shall not become a citizen of Belize by virtue of this section if at the time of his birth-
(a) neither of his parents is a citizen of Belize and his father or mother possesses such immunity from suit and legal process as is accorded to the envoy of a foreign sovereign power accredited to Belize; or
(b) his father or mother is a citizen of a country with which Belize is at war and the birth occurs in a place then under occupation by that country. (Sec. 24)
Citizenship and Nationality
Belize, English
(1) Every person born in Belize, immediately before Independence Day, shall become a citizen of Belize on Independence Day.
(2) Every person who, immediately before Independence Day, is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies-
(a) having become such a citizen under the British Nationality Act 1948 by virtue of his having been naturalised in Belize as a British subject before that Act came into force; or
(b) having while resident in Belize become such a citizen by virtue of his having been naturalised or registered under that Act, shall become a citizen of Belize on Independence Day.
(3) Every person born outside Belize, before Independence Day, shall become a citizen of Belize on Independence Day if his father or mother becomes, or would but for his death or the renunciation of his citizenship have become, a citizen of Belize by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
(4) Every person born outside Belize before Independence Day shall become a citizen of Belize on Independence Day if one of his grandparents becomes, or would but for his death or renunciation of his citizenship have become, a citizen of Belize by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
(5) Every woman shall become a citizen of Belize on Independence Day if immediately before Independence Day, she is married to a person who becomes or, but for his death or the renunciation of his citizenship, would have become a citizen of Belize by virtue of subsection(1), (2), (3) or (4) of this section.
… (Sec. 23)
Citizenship and Nationality
Belize, English
(1) The following persons may, upon making application at any time after Independence Day, be registered as citizens of Belize-
(a) any person who is married to a citizen of Belize;
(b) any person who has been resident continuously in Belize for a period of five years immediately before the date of his application.
(2) The National Assembly shall prescribe by law the procedure for making and determining applications, and the conditions to be fulfilled by persons making applications, for registration under this section.
… (Sec. 26)
Citizenship and Nationality
Belize, English
A citizen of Belize by birth or descent who acquires the citizenship of any other country may, if the laws of the other country so permit and at his option, retain his citizenship of Belize. (Sec. 27)
Citizenship and Nationality
Belize, English
(1) The National Assembly may make provision, not inconsistent with this Part, in respect of citizenship, including provision for-
(a) the acquisition of citizenship of Belize by persons who are not eligible or who are no longer eligible to become citizens of Belize under this Part;
(b) revoking the citizenship of any person referred to in section 26 (1) of this Constitution;
(c) the renunciation by any person of his citizenship of Belize.
... (Sec. 28)
Participation in Public Life and Institutions
Belize, English
(1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (4), (5) and (7) of this section, no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
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(3) In this section, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
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(5) Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1) of this section to the extent that it makes provision with respect to standards or qualifications (not being standards or qualifications specifically relating to sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed) to be required of any person who is appointed to or to act in any office or employment.
… (Sec. 16)