Rosa Celorio, Associate Dean for International and Comparative Legal Studies and Burnett Family Distinguished Professorial Lecturer in International and Comparative Law and Policy, finished serving as the International Dispute Resolution Authority before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Thursday, October 30th, 2025. This role was part of the monitoring framework established by the CCJ to ensure the implementation of its judgments and consent orders advancing the human rights of the Maya Indigenous Peoples in Belize. The CCJ has officially closed its lengthy monitoring process.
For six years, Dean Celorio served as an independent expert in this case, which involved the processing of claims of potential encumbrances in the lands and territories used and enjoyed by the Maya villages in Belize. She worked closely with the Maya villages and visited them, as well as many government authorities and representatives. She issued 20 statements and reports on various issues related to Maya land rights, highlighting current international and human rights law standards focused on Indigenous Peoples, and testified in several hearings before the Caribbean Court of Justice. Janina Heller, GW Law alum, visited Belize with Dean Celorio and collaborated with research as part of this role.
Dean Celorio indicated “It has been an absolute privilege and honor to be a small part of this extensive human rights monitoring process. The Caribbean Court of Justice has done a remarkable job not only in recognizing Maya land rights in their consent orders and judgments, but also in consistently and periodically monitoring this matter for so many years. I have also developed deep admiration for the Maya Indigenous Peoples in Belize and their persistence, endurance, grit, and strength in advancing their land rights. A corner of my heart will always be with them. Even though I recognize the enormous challenges ahead, I close this chapter hopeful that the CCJ’s work will help in the advancement of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in this critical context.”