Constitution of Belize
PART II – Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
6.- (1) All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law.
(2) If any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless the charge is withdrawn, the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established by law.
(3) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence
(b) shall be informed as soon as reasonably practicable, in a language that he understands, of the nature and particulars of the offence charged;
(c) shall be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence;
(d) shall be permitted to defend himself before the court in person or, at his own expense, by a legal practitioner of his own choice;
(e) shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by his legal representative the witnesses called by the prosecution before the court, and to obtain the attendance and carry out the examination of witnesses to testify on his behalf before the court on the same conditions as those applying to witnesses called by the prosecution; and
Co shall be permitted to have without payment the assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand the language used at the trial,
and except with his own consent the trial shall not take place in his absence unless he so conducts himself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in his presence impracticable and the court has ordered him to be removed and the trial to proceed in his absence:
Provided that the trial may take place in his absence in any case in which it is so provided by a law under which he is entitled to adequate notice of the charge and the date, time and place of the trial and to a reasonable opportunity of appearing before the court.
EDIT.