Commentary: Belizeans with dual nationalities must become more proactive
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| Published on Saturday, August 22, 2009 | Email To Friend Print Version
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By Wellington C Ramos
When the Dual Nationality Law was passed in Belize, it was assumed that once you are a citizen you are entitled to all rights and privileges like every other citizen that is currently living in Belize. This constitutional right defines what is citizenship and there cannot be some exclusive rights given to some while others are not entitled to the same benefits, especially those Belizeans who were born in Belize.
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| Born in Dangriga Town, the cultural capital of Belize, Wellington Ramos has an M.A. in Urban Studies from Long Island University |
Currently, there is a Supreme Court case before the Belize Supreme Court which deals with the Maya Indians land rights. The problem with this case is that, if the Maya Indians are given exclusive rights to property, then the other ethnic groups in Belize will be able to challenge that right based on the definition of citizenship in the constitution. Citizenship cannot be downgraded to first and second class citizens. Some of the downgrading of rights has occurred through subsequent legislations passed by the legislative body without looking at the Constitution and here is where the problem lies.
Service to a country is one of the most significant areas to define how serious a person is about his or her citizenship. I served five years in the Belize Police Force and at the time I was in the service there was no Belize Defence Force. If Belize was invaded by Guatemala, we received training to defend our country to the best of our ability against any nation. Today, those same Guatemalans we were trained to fight against are probably living in Belize with their children and grandchildren given citizenship with all its rights and privileges while I am being denied under this constitution.
Since coming to the United States, I have also served three years in the United States Army and was attached to a Mechanized Infantry Division in Germany. There are thousands of Belizeans who, like me, served in the Belize Police Force, the Belize Defence Force and other branches of services that are vital to Belize’s national security, who now are citizens of the United States.
Most of us will be more than willing to come to the defense of Belize if our country is attacked by another nation. Without dual citizenship, the United States government can accuse us of meddling in the affairs of a foreign country. However, with dual citizenship it is looked upon as a call to duty. There are many Belizeans living in Belize who have not volunteered to serve their country and are not doing anything whatsoever to contribute towards the development of Belize but talking thash.
One of the greatest quotes in the 20th century was made by then American President John Kennedy, which was; “Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country”. Those Belizeans who have never, will never and can never do anything for Belize should be asking themselves that very question.
I strongly believe that a person needs to start with his or herself in order to develop Belize. If every Belizean citizen made it his or her business to do for his or herself, then Belize as a country would be a far better place than it is today.
Our country is too infested with idle individuals who are engaging in criminal mischief and are waiting for people to give them handouts and, when they do not get what they want, they have an attitude against the people who have been giving them all their lives. In this debate I am beginning to see some people show their true colors. Some of the individuals who are against this amendment, I have lost total respect for them because they are engaged in irrational thinking. They need to re-examine their positions and look at the overall benefits this amendment will bring to our country in social, political and economic development.
Most of the countries in the world depend on their citizens who live in the United States for their survival. A good example is Israel that is constantly under attack by the Palestinians who are fighting for their homeland. If it was not for the Jews that live in the United States providing the political and financial resources, Israel would probably not be a country today. Belize as a country can learn a lot from Israel by copying their civil defense system and the way they utilize their people living in the United States to further protect and develop their country.
The United States currently possesses a pool of Belizean talent in sports and a wide range of other fields. I want to emphasize especially in the area of national security from the experiences they garnered in the United States Armed Services. Belize has a lot of potential as a young nation in Central America. The natural resources are abundant but this constant claim lingering over our country is stifling progress as a developing nation.
We cannot afford to divide our nation over this simple question. Denying natural born Belizeans and their offspring the rights and privileges afforded all Belizeans is an injustice and a gross violation of our constitution. Our famous phrase is that there is only one Belize. Then, if this is true, a person is a Belizean no matter where he or she chooses to live. | | | | Reads : 1009 | | | |
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