Ombudsman’s Report Highlights Delays, Abuses, and Accountability Gaps

The Office of the Ombudsman has submitted its 2024 Annual Report to the National Assembly, detailing hundreds of complaints lodged against government departments and public authorities; however, the report also underscores systemic failures, including weak oversight during states of emergency and neglect of mental health care in the Belize Coast Guard.

The document points to recurring frustrations experienced by citizens: long waits for basic services, instances of heavy-handed or inattentive conduct by officials, and lapses in following due process. Several government agencies surfaced frequently in complaints, though the report refrains from naming them in its public summary.

Beyond individual grievances, the Ombudsman drew attention to institutional shortcomings that demand policy-level responses.

In the spirit of transparency, the office has announced a media round from September 30 to October 3 to present its findings and recommendations directly to the public. Copies of the report are available online and in libraries across the country.

The Ombudsman Office is responsible for several key functions within the Belizean democracy. For instance, it is the Ombudsman that receives complaints from citizens when public offices fail to comply with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

We reported on one such case last week, when public interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez appealed to the Ombudsman after the Attorney General’s Ministry refused to disclose legal fees paid in redistricting-related litigation.

Enriquez argues that the exemption relied upon by the Ministry was improperly invoked, stressing that taxpayers have a right to know how public funds are spent on legal services. He has asked the Ombudsman to order disclosure within 14 days, cautioning that if the office does not act within 30 days, he will be forced to pursue legal proceedings.