UDP Questions Delay in Appointing New Ombudsman

Another matter addressed today by the UDP is the continued absence of a replacement for former Ombudsman Major (Retired) Gilbert Swazo.  UDP Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton noted that the position remains vacant despite Swazo’s long-time departure from office. The issue comes against the backdrop of legal action filed by Swazo against the Government of Belize.

Swazo has launched a lawsuit seeking compensation he believes is owed to him under the terms of his employment contract. The matter remains before the courts.  Panton said the prolonged vacancy raises questions about the government’s commitment to ensuring that the Office of the Ombudsman remains fully functional and able to carry out its mandate on behalf of Belizean citizens.

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “The oversight mechanisms in this country need to be working optimally so we can preserve our public institutions so that our citizens can have the rights to be heard on issues that affect their daily lives. That’s the bottom line. The trust and confidence that Belizeans have in our public institutions are fading and fading quickly because the public institutions are not working in the interests of the people and these oversight mechanisms, the Ombudsman’s Office being one, the Contractor General being one, the Integrity Commission being one, the Public Accounts Committee being one, the Auditor General’s Office being one must be able to function with some autonomy, must be able to function within the confines of the law that governs that office so that the people of this country can have direct access and be able to ask the question so we don’t have to sit in a room for two hours to be able to bring to the people some of the inequities we see, the corruption that exist, that ultimately impacts the lives of our citizens.”

The government has not publicly indicated when a new Ombudsman will be appointed, while the legal dispute involving Swazo continues through the judicial process./