"Support to Strengthening the Asylum System and Protection for Refugees in Belize" implemented by UNHCR Belize
UNHCR Stakeholder Consultation – Legal Review (May 6th, 2026）
Speech made by Charge d'Affaires a.i. Shinya
Group photo with consultation participants
On May 6, 2026, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Shinya participated in the “Stakeholder Consultations on the Amendment of the Refugees, Nationality and Immigration Acts,” organized by UNHCR in collaboration with the Belize Refugees Department. The consultations were conducted with the support of the Government of Japan and aimed at aligning Belize’s domestic legislation with international refugee protection standards and relevant international conventions.
In addition, the following joint press release regarding the consultations was issued.
The Refugees Department Organizes Stakeholder Consultations to Review Refugees ActSan Ignacio, Belize – The Refugees Department of the Ministry of Immigration, Governance and Labour, in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and with the generous financial support of the Government of Japan, has organized Stakeholder Consultations to review and update Belize’s Refugees Act.
These consultations are being conducted under the joint project between the Refugees Department and UNHCR, Supporting Strengthening the Asylum System and Protection for Refugees in Belize, funded by the Government of Japan. The consultations aim to ensure that the voices and perspectives of all relevant stakeholders are meaningfully reflected in the proposed amendments to the Refugees Act.
The review seeks to align Belize’s legislation fully with the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, incorporate international best practices, and respond to new realities in asylum and international protection within Belize.
“With the support of the Government of Japan, UNHCR is proud to accompany Belize in strengthening its asylum system. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention this year, these consultations reaffirm its continuing relevance and commitment to the rights and principles it enshrines. They also represent an important step toward ensuring Belize’s adherence to its obligations under the Convention,” said Mariya Voloshkevich, Officer-in-Charge for UNHCR in Belize, “By advancing legislative reforms, Belize is reinforcing dignified access to asylum, ensuring fair and timely processing of claims, enhancing efficient decision-making, and expanding pathways to sustainable solutions for refugees”.
Adopted in the aftermath of the Second World War, the 1951 Refugee Convention established a global commitment to ensure that people forced to flee war and persecution are protected. It provides the internationally recognized definition of a refugee and outlines the legal protection, rights, and assistance to which refugees are entitled. Belize acceded to the Convention and its 1967 Protocol in 1990.
“The Government of Japan is honored to support Belize in its efforts to strengthen the asylum system and ensure protection for those seeking refuge. These consultations reflect the importance of international cooperation and shared responsibility in upholding the principles of the 1951 Refugee Convention. By working together with UNHCR and the Government of Belize, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding human dignity and advancing solutions that benefit both refugees and host communities,” – said Ms Yumiko Shinya, the Charge d’affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Japan.
“Belize is committed to building a fair, efficient, and modern asylum system that upholds the dignity and rights of those seeking international protection. These stakeholder consultations ensure that diverse perspectives are included in shaping the Refugees Act. With the support of UNHCR and the Government of Japan, we are reinforcing our legal safeguards and strengthening national capacity to respond to evolving asylum needs. This process reflects our dedication to international standards and to fostering a system that benefits both refugees and the people of Belize,” – said Mr. Nikolai Zelaya, the Director of the Refugees Department, Ministry of Immigration, Governance and Labour.
Project launch ceremony and joint press release issued (March 16th, 2026)
Speech made by Ambassador Yamakura
From left: Ambassador Yamakura, Mariya Voloshkevich, Officer-in-Charge for UNHCR in Belize, Hon. Kareem Musa, Minister of Immigration, Governance and Labour
On March 16, Ambassador Yamakura attended and delivered remarks at the launch ceremony of the FY2025 supplementary budget-funded project for UNHCR Belize, entitled “Support for Strengthening the Asylum System and Refugee Protection in Belize” (project amount: USD 666,666), at the invitation of the UNHCR Belize and the Refugees Department of the Ministry of Immigration, Governance and Labour.
In addition, the Government of Belize Press Office issued the following press release regarding the ceremony.
16 March 2026
UNHCR and the Government of Japan support strengthened asylum systems in Belize through innovation and protection
Belmopan, Belize - The Ministry of Immigration, Refugees Department, UNHCR - the UN Refugee Agency - and the Government of Japan have launched a new initiative to strengthen Belize’s asylum system by implementing innovative digital solutions, improving data management and collection, strengthening legal framework and reinforcing protection safeguards in line with international standards. This project is generously funded by the Government of Japan, which is contributing USD 667,000 to support the initiative and ensure its successful implementation.
The key component of the project is the development and rollout of a secure digital system to manage asylum cases. The system will modernize registration and case processing, improve the accuracy and reliability of data, and strengthen preparedness for increased asylum needs, while ensuring confidentiality and data protection.
“With the support of the Government of Japan, UNHCR is supporting the Government of Belize strengthen its asylum system through innovative, sustainable approaches, firmly rooted in protection principles,” said Jose Egas, UNHCR’s Multi-Country Office Panama Representative “By investing in legal frameworks, data-driven approaches, and digital solutions, this initiative helps ensure that people in need of international protection receive timely, fair, and safe access to asylum.”
“By supporting the Government of Belize in strengthening national systems and fair, efficient asylum procedures, the Government of Japan and UNHCR are ensuring that people in need of international protection can access their rights safely and with dignity, allowing refugees and asylum-seekers to contribute their skills, labor, entrepreneurship, and cultural diversity, benefiting host communities across Belize,” said H.E. Ryosuke Yamakura, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan.
“Belize continues to strengthen a national asylum system that operates with fairness, efficiency, and respect for human dignity,” said Hon. Kareem Musa, Minister of Immigration, Governance and Labour. “This partnership with the Government of Japan and UNHCR supports the modernization of our institutional capacity through secure digital case management, stronger data systems, and continued development of our legal framework. These improvements enhance the ability of the Refugees Department to process applications responsibly while protecting confidential information and maintaining clear procedures. Belize values its longstanding partnership with UNHCR, which has supported the country since the 1980s and continues to provide valuable technical guidance as we strengthen our national protection systems. Through collaboration with international partners, Belize continues to build institutions that uphold international standards and serve both people seeking protection and the communities that welcome them.”