Enriquez Has Right to Information Under FOI Act - Says Panton

Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar-Panton on Tuesday cited activist Jerry Enriquez's ongoing pursuit of government records as evidence of what she described as declining transparency under the Briceño administration, insisting that Enriquez has a right to information requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

Speaking during a United Democratic Party press conference, Panton argued that Belizeans increasingly have to resort to Freedom of Information requests to obtain information from government, despite repeated commitments to transparency and accountability.

Panton said the situation affects the media, the Opposition and ordinary citizens seeking access to public records.

"Anybody who wants any information, whether it's the media or the opposition or any interested party like Jerry Enriquez, you know what we have to do? File a Freedom of Information request," she said.

The Opposition Leader reminded that the government campaigned on promises of transparency, but, in office, is now resisting disclosure of information relating to public affairs and public spending.

She pointed to Enriquez's legal battle for government information, noting that the former Ombudsman had previously supported his right to obtain records sought under the Freedom of Information Act.

"Mr. Enriquez has the right to get the information that he requested on the Freedom of Information [Act]," Panton said.

She described the Act as a legal mechanism designed to protect public access to information rather than a symbolic piece of legislation.

"The Freedom of Information Act is not a decoration you hang on a tree. It is a legal tool," she said.

Panton made the remarks while announcing two new Freedom of Information requests by the UDP seeking records related to contracts allegedly linked to entities associated with Minister Oscar Mira and information concerning the National Health Insurance programme.

According to Panton, Freedom of Information requests have become necessary because government agencies are failing to voluntarily provide information that should be available to the public.

She said accountability and transparency are not optional actions of government and argued that public institutions must remain answerable to the citizens they serve.