by Kristen Ku

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. July 27, 2023

With violent crime, specifically murder, being one of the major concerns of citizens, their sense of safety and well- being is not enhanced by any indication of low morale among members of our security forces or our justice system. In an effort to counter a deplorable conviction rate for murder, with intimidation of witnesses and jurors a concern, recent legislation has allowed for the trial of murder cases by a judge without any jury, but the presentation of evidence still relies on the efficacy of the prosecution. Our public prosecutors have a very important role to play in our justice system, and if they are experiencing morale problems, it needs to be addressed promptly and effectively by their superiors, beginning with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and ultimately with the Attorney General (AG).

Less than two weeks into his role as Belize’s new Attorney General (AG), Anthony Sylvestre is facing his first major challenge, as a group of 10 public prosecutors have lodged a complaint against discrepancies within the justice system and demanded a long-overdue salary increase.

The complaint, presented in a letter sent on July 11, has gained further support from three senior Crown Counsels and six other Crown Counsels, who have also expressed their frustration and concern.

At the heart of the complaint is dissatisfaction with the remuneration and working conditions of public prosecutors, who claim they have been overworked and underpaid for many years, with their last salary adjustment dating back to 2015.

Despite proposals in 2021 to introduce a new pay scale and a 17% salary increase, no such salary hike has materialized.

One crucial issue highlighted in the letter is the lack of safety measures for prosecutors who regularly handle sensitive and dangerous criminal cases.

“We wish to bring to your attention our concern for our safety as prosecutors who become known to criminal elements after a few years of prosecuting. There exists no life insurance scheme nor security allowance for the Crown Counsel of the ODPP [Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions – ODPP]!” the letter pointed out.

The fear of potential threats and targeting by these elements has further exacerbated the frustrations among the prosecutors. “It is no secret that criminal elements have targeted witnesses in criminal cases and we submit that this threat is felt by all Crown Counsel of the ODPP,” stated the letter.

Adding to their grievances, the public prosecutors pointed out that in 2022, during Belize’s recovery from the pandemic, the Justices of the High Court received a salary increase. While the move was supported by the prosecutors, they were hopeful that their own long-awaited pay raise would follow suit.

Their patience reached a breaking point, however, when they learned about a newly hired attorney-at-law, with less than two years of experience, being appointed as a Judicial Legal Assistant. This individual is set to earn a significantly higher salary than even Senior Crown Counsels with over three decades of experience.

The news of this attorney’s salary package, which amounts to BZ $218,400 per annum, including allowances and gratuity, was a final straw for the public prosecutors.

“Our patience has now come to a crushing halt,” the letter expressed. “This contract, under which the Government of Belize has agreed to pay an Attorney with less than 2-year experience has accelerated and intensified the long-standing frustrations of the prosecutors at the ODPP.”

In their letter, the prosecutors expressed their dismay at the perceived disregard for their extensive responsibilities and the risks associated with their roles as prosecutors. They stated that the comparison with a Judicial Legal Assistant’s position was insulting and called for fair compensation that acknowledges their experience and the inherent risks of their job.

Finally, they urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) to address their demands by July 21, 2023. However, as of the current date, July 27, 2023, no signs of a raise have been reported, leaving the prosecutors increasingly frustrated.

Attempts to secure an interview with AG Sylvestre regarding the matter were unsuccessful. However, he did confirm to us that the Ministry and the Crown Counsels are engaged in an ongoing dialogue.