The Julian Cho Society (JCS) is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 to champion the rights of indigenous communities in southern Belize. It emerged from the movement for indigenous land rights and honors Julian Cho, a Mopan Maya leader dedicated to social justice. JCS promotes education, justice and sustainable development for indigenous groups through research, education and advocacy.

The society has an impressive track record advocating for indigenous rights since 2005. Notable victories include securing debt relief for two adjoining communities, playing a central role in a landmark Supreme Court case affirming indigenous land/resource rights in Santa Cruz and Conejo villages, and garnering national/international media attention for their cause. In 2007, JCS received an award for promoting non-violent social change in Belize.

JCS has been integrally involved in the centuries-long struggle by the Mopan and Q’eqchi’ Maya peoples to defend their land rights against violations by the Belizean government. After favorable rulings by Belize’s courts and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, JCS continues efforts to ensure the government respects the Maya communities’ legally recognized land rights. Their persistent advocacy aims to achieve accountability, fairness and equality for Belize’s indigenous populations.

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