Structural Exclusion and the Human Rights Crisis of Migrant Sex Workers in Belize

Abstract

This conceptual paper examines the human rights challenges faced by migrant sex workers in Belize, a population rendered vulnerable by limited legal protections and economic insecurity. For those engaged in sex work, risks are compounded by stigma and a partially criminalized legal framework. To analyze these issues, the paper develops a Belize-specific conceptual framework drawing on structural violence, social stigma, labeling theory, intersectionality, and human rights perspectives. The framework illustrates how systemic exclusion and overlapping vulnerabilities shape lived experiences in this context. Regional Caribbean research is used to highlight experiences of marginalization, fear, and resilience, suggesting likely parallels in Belize. At the same time, the scarcity of Belize-specific data underscores a critical knowledge gap. The paper emphasizes the urgent need for local research to validate regional patterns and to guide policies that recognize sex work as labor while safeguarding the rights of migrant populations.