The United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances says Belize has not accounted for 268 missing persons cases reported between 2019 and 2023.
Belize’s delegation told the Committee it has no recorded cases of enforced disappearance. Of the 589 missing persons reports filed in that period, 304 people were found alive and 17 dead, leaving 268 cases unresolved. Committee Chairperson Juan Pablo Albán Alencastro asked for the current status of those cases and updated, disaggregated data through 2026.
Albán Alencastro stated that Belize allows missing persons reports to be filed with no waiting period, calling this “very good” and uncommon internationally.
He also pressed Belize on the Convention itself. Belize acceded to it in 2015 but has not yet written enforced disappearance into domestic law as a standalone offence. Permanent Representative Harold Young said Cabinet approved domestication in June 2025, with legislative drafting due to begin in June 2026. Young also confirmed Belize’s report was submitted late, and cited resource constraints.
The delegation said police receive general human rights training, but none specific to enforced disappearance. A revised curriculum covering the offence is in development.
Belize reported 892 missing persons cases over the past several years. In 2025 alone, 99 people were reported missing: 45% were found safe, 47$ remain under investigation and 4% were found dead.
The Committee is expected to issue concluding observations following the review.
