Belize Joins Regional Talks on Organised Crime and Public Security

Senate President Carolyn Trench-Sandiford represented Belize at a regional gathering in Chile last week, where parliamentarians discussed responses to organised crime and violence.  The second gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Security was held in Valparaíso from October 21 to 23. It was hosted by the National Congress of Chile and ParlAmericas.  According to Belize’s National Assembly, participants discussed the financing of criminal networks, the impact of insecurity on communities, and how governments can respond to crime while respecting human rights.  Trench-Sandiford moderated a session on public security and justice, which looked at the capacity of institutions to address crime. Representatives of the Justice Studies Center of the Americas and the Inter-American Children’s Institute also took part.  On the final day, discussions turned to intelligence systems, parliamentary oversight and the use of artificial intelligence in public security. The gathering ended with the reading of an official declaration.