A constitutional showdown that could redefine the independence of one of Belize’s key oversight institutions is now before the courts. A former Ombudsman is now asking the court to decide whether government crossed a constitutional line. Retired Major Gilbert Swaso has filed a claim against the Government of Belize, arguing that the state failed to honor the terms and conditions attached to the Office of the Ombudsman. But Swaso says the issue goes even deeper. He alleges that government chose not to renew his appointment in retaliation for a ruling he made against the state in a sensitive Freedom of Information matter. Today, that legal fight officially began moving through the courts, with timelines now set ahead of a trial scheduled for November twentieth.
Major Gilbert Swaso (Ret’d), Former Ombudsman
“Today was basically the first date that initiated the constitutional case that I had filed against the Attorney General of Belize. Today was the case management. So during the case management respective days were set, where in the first instance the Office of the Attorney General is required to make a response by this Friday and then subsequently we need to rebut and respond by the seventh of August. And the response rebuttal continues until the trial date, which is set for the twentieth of November 2026 of this year. Certainly there are a number of issues within this case, primarily the issue as it relates to the independence of the office of the Ombudsman. That is a case which we believe is very critical for justice, for transparency and accountability within the country of Belize and so the independence of the office of the Ombudsman must remain as stipulated by the constitution and the Ombudsman Act and also other issues that deals with the apparent violation of the constitution.”
Swaso believes the government’s decision not to renew his appointment in December 2025 was punishment.
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