BELMOPAN, Mon. May 9, 2022

At a virtual ceremony held today, Justice Arif Bulkan was sworn in to Belize’s Court of Appeal by Governor-General H.E Dame Froyla Tzalam. Both the Governor-General and Attorney General Hon. Magali Marin Young, who was also present for the ceremony, congratulated Justice Balkan on his appointment, with Dame Tzalam adding that she was impressed with the quality of experience that the new Justice of Appeal brings to Belize, calling it an asset to the country’s justice system.

Justice Bulkan previously sat as a justice on the Court of Appeal bench in Guyana. For many years, he has served as an advocate for human rights, having worked in defending the rights of marginalized persons, including indigenous peoples, LGBT+ persons and persons living with HIV/AIDS. He has also provided pro bono training and education on human rights issues in Guyana, Belize, and Trinidad and Tobago.

“We think it is a plus for Belize that he honours us in joining our bench, and I certainly look forward to reading his judgments, which I am sure will enhance our jurisprudence,” said Attorney General Marin Young.