Equipo Nizkor - Belize Red Cross Society Act.

No. 12 of 1983

I assent,
M. E. GORDON
Governor-General.
18 August 1983.

AN ACT to provide for the incorporation of the Belize Red Cross Society and for matters connected therewith.

(Gazetted 27th August, 1983)

BE IT ENACTED, by and with the advcie and consent of the House of Representatives and the Senate of Belize and by the authority of the same, as follows:–

1. This Act may be cited as the
BELIZE RED CROSS SOCIETY ACT, 1983 Short Title.

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:–

"Branch" means the Belize Branch of the British Red Cross Society that was in operation immediately before the commencement of this Act;
"Constitution" means the Rules made by the General Assembly in accordance with the powers given under Section 10 of this Act;
"Scheduled Conventions" means the_Conventions specified in the Schedule hereto;
"Society" means the Belize Red Cross Society.
Interpretation

3. On the commencement of this Act:–

(a) there shall be established and constituted the Belize Red Cross Society which shall be the sole national Red Cross Society in Belize;
(b) all the assets and liabilities of the Branch shall be transferred to and be vested in the Society by virtue of this section and without further assurance, and the Society shall have all the powers necessary to take possession of, recover and deal with such assets and discharge such liabilities;
(c) all deeds, bonds, instruments and contracts subsisting immediately before the day on which this Act comes into operation to which the Branch is a party shall be as of full force and effect against or in favour of the Society and enforceable as fully and effectually as if instead of the Branch, the Society had been a party thereto;
(d) officers of the Branch shall continue to hold corresponding appointments in the Society until other provisions are made in accordance with rules made under this Act, and members of the Branch shall become corresponding active members, Honorary Members and Subscribing Members of the Society, but subject to any provisions contained in the aforesaid rules.
Establishment of Society.

4. The Society shall be a body corporate under the name of the Belize Red Cross Society, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to sue and be sued, purchase, acquire, hold, manage and dispose of movable and immovable property, and to enter into any such contracts as it may consider necessary or expedient for the purpose, of performing its functions, or achieving its objects under this Act. Incorporation of the Belize Red Cross Society.

5. –(1) The objects of the Society shall be:–

(a) to act in case of armed conflict, and in peace prepare to act in all the fields covered by the Geneva Conventions and their additional Protocols and on behalf of all war victims, both civilian and military;
(b) to contribute to the improvement of health, the prevention of disease and the mitigation of suffering by programmes of training and services for the benefit of the community, adapted to national and local needs and circumstances;
(c) to organise, within the scope of the national plan, emergency relief services for the victims of disasters, howsoever caused;
(d) to recruit, train and assign such personnel as are necessary for the discharge of its responsibilities;
(e) to promote the participation of children and young people in the work of the Red Cross;
(f) to propagate the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and of International Humanitarian Law in order to develop among the population, and in particular among children and youth, the ideals of peace, mutual respect and understanding among all men and all peoples.

(2) In pursuing the objects referred to in subsection (1) of this section, the Society shall not make any adverse distinction founded on sex, race, nationality, religion, political opinions or any other similar criteria and shall act in accordance with the spirit and principles of the Scheduled Conventions.
General objects

6. The Society is hereby recognised by the Government as a Voluntary Aid Society auxiliary to the public authorities and in particular in the sense of Article 26 of the First Geneva Convention of 1949 and shall have the right in conformity with the Scheduled Conventions to use the heraldic emblem of a red cross on a white ground, formed by reversing the Swiss Federal colours and the words "Red Cross". Recognition as a Voluntary Aid Society.

7. The independent and voluntary nature of the Society shall at all times be respected in accordance with the resolution relative to National Red Cross Societies adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on the 19th November, 1946. Independence of Society.

8.–(1) The Society shall have the right in conformity with the Scheduled Conventions to use the name and the emblem of the Red Cross on a white ground formed by reversing the Swiss Federal Colours. Use of the Red Cross Emblem.

(2) (a) It shall not be lawful for any persons other than those authorised under the provisions of the Scheduled Conventions to use for any purpose whatever the emblem of the Red Cross on a white ground, or any colourable imitation thereof, or the words "Red Cross" or the arms of the Swiss Confederation.
(b) Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (2) (a) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction toa fine of five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for twelve months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(3) The Minister of the appropriate Ministry may by Regulations make provisions generally for the use of the emblem and the prevention and repression of its misuse.
Offences and Penalty.

9. –(1) The highest authority of the Society shall be a General Assembly constituted in accordance with its Constitution made under this Act. There shall also be a Central Committee and District Committees with such powers and duties as may be prescribed by the said Constitution.
(2) The first members of the General Assembly shall be those persons who, immediately before the coming into operation of this Act, were duly elected to their position by the Branch.
General Assembly of the Society.

10. –(1) The General Assembly shall frame and establish a Constitution being rules for the management of the affairs of the Society and the accomplishment of its objects. Such Constitution shall provide, inter alia,

(a) that membership of the Society shall not be withheld from any citizen of Belize on the grounds of race, class, sex, religion, or political opinions;
(b) that all members of the Society shall have representation on the General Assembly.

(2) Rules made under this section may from time to time be altered, added to or repealed by the General Assembly and new rules may from time to time be made in like manner.
(3) Rules made under this section need not be published in the Gazette.
General Assembly's powers to draw up rules.

SCHEDULE

1. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field of August 12, 1949.
2. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea of August 12, 1949.
3. Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12, 1949.
4. Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12, 1949.
5. Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I)
6. Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II).

This is a revised edition of the law, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 1980 - 1990. Amendments in force as at 31st December, 2000.

This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws:
- ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
- BELIZE RED CROSS SOCIETY ACT

Source: The Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, Ministry of the Attorney General.

Legislation
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1. This Act may be cited as the BELIZE RED CROSS SOCIETY ACT, 1983	Short Title.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:– "Branch" means the Belize Branch of the British Red Cross Society that was in operation immediately before the commencement of this Act; "Constitution" means the Rules made by the General Assembly in accordance with the powers given under Section 10 of this Act; "Scheduled Conventions" means the_Conventions specified in the Schedule hereto; "Society" means the Belize Red Cross Society.	Interpretation
3. On the commencement of this Act:– (a) there shall be established and constituted the Belize Red Cross Society which shall be the sole national Red Cross Society in Belize; (b) all the assets and liabilities of the Branch shall be transferred to and be vested in the Society by virtue of this section and without further assurance, and the Society shall have all the powers necessary to take possession of, recover and deal with such assets and discharge such liabilities; (c) all deeds, bonds, instruments and contracts subsisting immediately before the day on which this Act comes into operation to which the Branch is a party shall be as of full force and effect against or in favour of the Society and enforceable as fully and effectually as if instead of the Branch, the Society had been a party thereto; (d) officers of the Branch shall continue to hold corresponding appointments in the Society until other provisions are made in accordance with rules made under this Act, and members of the Branch shall become corresponding active members, Honorary Members and Subscribing Members of the Society, but subject to any provisions contained in the aforesaid rules.	Establishment of Society.
4. The Society shall be a body corporate under the name of the Belize Red Cross Society, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to sue and be sued, purchase, acquire, hold, manage and dispose of movable and immovable property, and to enter into any such contracts as it may consider necessary or expedient for the purpose, of performing its functions, or achieving its objects under this Act.	Incorporation of the Belize Red Cross Society.
5. –(1) The objects of the Society shall be:– (a) to act in case of armed conflict, and in peace prepare to act in all the fields covered by the Geneva Conventions and their additional Protocols and on behalf of all war victims, both civilian and military; (b) to contribute to the improvement of health, the prevention of disease and the mitigation of suffering by programmes of training and services for the benefit of the community, adapted to national and local needs and circumstances; (c) to organise, within the scope of the national plan, emergency relief services for the victims of disasters, howsoever caused; (d) to recruit, train and assign such personnel as are necessary for the discharge of its responsibilities; (e) to promote the participation of children and young people in the work of the Red Cross; (f) to propagate the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and of International Humanitarian Law in order to develop among the population, and in particular among children and youth, the ideals of peace, mutual respect and understanding among all men and all peoples. (2) In pursuing the objects referred to in subsection (1) of this section, the Society shall not make any adverse distinction founded on sex, race, nationality, religion, political opinions or any other similar criteria and shall act in accordance with the spirit and principles of the Scheduled Conventions.	General objects
6. The Society is hereby recognised by the Government as a Voluntary Aid Society auxiliary to the public authorities and in particular in the sense of Article 26 of the First Geneva Convention of 1949 and shall have the right in conformity with the Scheduled Conventions to use the heraldic emblem of a red cross on a white ground, formed by reversing the Swiss Federal colours and the words "Red Cross".	Recognition as a Voluntary Aid Society.
7. The independent and voluntary nature of the Society shall at all times be respected in accordance with the resolution relative to National Red Cross Societies adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on the 19th November, 1946.	Independence of Society.
8.–(1) The Society shall have the right in conformity with the Scheduled Conventions to use the name and the emblem of the Red Cross on a white ground formed by reversing the Swiss Federal Colours.	Use of the Red Cross Emblem.
(2) (a) It shall not be lawful for any persons other than those authorised under the provisions of the Scheduled Conventions to use for any purpose whatever the emblem of the Red Cross on a white ground, or any colourable imitation thereof, or the words "Red Cross" or the arms of the Swiss Confederation. (b) Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (2) (a) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction toa fine of five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for twelve months or to both such fine and imprisonment. (3) The Minister of the appropriate Ministry may by Regulations make provisions generally for the use of the emblem and the prevention and repression of its misuse.	Offences and Penalty.
9. –(1) The highest authority of the Society shall be a General Assembly constituted in accordance with its Constitution made under this Act. There shall also be a Central Committee and District Committees with such powers and duties as may be prescribed by the said Constitution. (2) The first members of the General Assembly shall be those persons who, immediately before the coming into operation of this Act, were duly elected to their position by the Branch.	General Assembly of the Society.
10. –(1) The General Assembly shall frame and establish a Constitution being rules for the management of the affairs of the Society and the accomplishment of its objects. Such Constitution shall provide, inter alia, (a) that membership of the Society shall not be withheld from any citizen of Belize on the grounds of race, class, sex, religion, or political opinions; (b) that all members of the Society shall have representation on the General Assembly. (2) Rules made under this section may from time to time be altered, added to or repealed by the General Assembly and new rules may from time to time be made in like manner. (3) Rules made under this section need not be published in the Gazette.	General Assembly's powers to draw up rules.

18Aug83

Belize Red Cross Society Act