REFORM OF DISCRIMINATORY SEXUAL OFFENCES LAWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS – Case Study of Belize

This report provides a step-by-step analysis of how reform of sexual offences law in Belize was achieved. Since the 1990s, Belize has undertaken a concerted effort to reform its sexual offences laws. This has been achieved through a combination of changes to legislation and policy via the legislature, and public interest litigation via the courts. The case study reflects on how those two processes – legislative reform on the one hand, and public interest litigation on the other – although unconnected, nonetheless mutually reinforced each other as frameworks for reform. Ultimately, the Belize example demonstrates that parallel action can be a strong model for achieving progressive legal and social change, and eliminating discrimination.