BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC):

The High Court has ruled in favour of a group of Belizeans who sought judicial review after the Belize government decided to amend the Referendum Act before going first to the population.

Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh handed down the 31-page decision on Monday in the claim brought by Alberto Vellos, a former editor of The Belize Times and a group of other citizens.

The group on June 30 took Prime Minister Dean Barrow to court, claiming that the amendments repealed the requirement to hold a referendum whenever there are changes to the Constitution that affect the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to every citizen.