Integrity Commission of Belize
Integrity Commission
Summary
Established under the Prevention of Corruption Act (Cap. 105, s. 3), the Integrity Commission examines annual financial declarations filed by public officers broadly, investigates non-compliance, and may advise the Governor-General to appoint a tribunal. Its mandate is anti-corruption/asset-declaration rather than use-of-force or misconduct oversight. The Commission consists of a Chairperson (attorney-at-law, 5+ years standing) and six members of high national standing — all civilian by statutory design. It can refer findings but has no binding discipline power and no direct investigative role in police use-of-force incidents. The Commission was reappointed for a two-year term effective April 1, 2024.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Legislative appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 2 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Case-by-case |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Prevention of Corruption Act
- Citation
- Chapter 105, Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; s. 3 (Commission establishment), s. 35 (complaints)
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All public officers in Belize required to file financial declarations under the Prevention of Corruption Act, including members of the National Assembly, mayors, councillors, and broadly defined public officers; investigates non-compliance with and breaches of the Act.