Belize is a relatively safe country although violent crimes such as armed robbery, shooting, stabbing, murder and rape, are on the rise, especially in Belize city and in remote areas. Belize is, furthermore, a major transit point to the US for cocaine, and narcotics-related crime is high. Armed robberies by criminal gangs based in neighbouring Guatemala are also a major concern. However, Belize is a stable democracy and there is absolute freedom of press and very little corruption. The death penalty is in use. The Belize Court system is based on the English system and final appeal court is the Privy Council of the House of Lords in England.