Nandlall insists opposition, others should submit feedback on amendments to Sexual Offences Act

Nearly 15 years after it was first enacted, Guyana’s Sexual Offences Act is being amended to be more responsive and Attorney General Anil Nandlall is urging members of the Parliamentary Opposition and others to submit their feedback on draft amendments.

“There is a view out there that the Principal Act is harsh, that it is oppressive (and) it tends to be biased in a particular direction.

“Well, this is the opportunity for those who hold that view, so that adjustments to the Principal Act can be made,” Nandlall said during his weekly “Issues in the News” programme on Tuesday.

Opposition Parliamentarians are encouraged to review the amendments and submit their feedback. He vowed that all feedback will be taken and used to inform the creation of a Bill that will be taken to the National Assembly.

These Parliamentarians were singled out, Nandlall said, to avoid them offering their suggestions at the last minute just before the debate in National Assembly. He believes feedback beforehand would be valuable, instead of delaying any passage of proposed amendments in the House.

Amendments proposed include the creation of a national sex offenders database replete with substantial personal information on the offenders and vesting the Director of Public Prosecutions with the power to deal with cases summarily instead of committing the accused person(s) to trial.

Nandlall also urged others to review the amendments and submit their feedback.

A copy of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2024 can be accessed at the Ministry of Legal Affairs’ website at: https://mola.gov.gy//bills/THE%20SEXUAL%20OFFENCES%20(AMENDMENT)%20BILL%202024.1716843811.pdf