Bartica youth group, founded by convicted child rapist, wants prisoners to vote in elections

The Bartica United Youth Development Group, which was founded by convicted child rapist Micah Williams, is under new leadership and is calling for prisoners to be allowed to vote in Guyana’s elections.

“Democracy and participation in the decision-making process are core principles of governance, and it is imperative that these rights are respected and protected for all members of society.

“We trust that our concerns will be heard, and swift action will be taken to address this issue in a manner that upholds the rule of law and fundamental human rights,” the group noted in a letter dispatched to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Biragdier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney General Anil Nandlall alongside other ministers of government and members of the opposition.

It was copied to several civil society bodies and other agencies.

The letter is attributed to organisation’s acting President, Kellion Leps.

Prisoners are not allowed to vote in local elections, be it general, regional, or local government elections. In its report on the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, however, the Carter Center recommended that prisoners in Guyana, particularly those on remand, should be allowed to vote in local elections.

The Bartica Group believes that prisoners should be allowed to vote and it outlined several measures being sought in the letter.

It asked that all individuals who are arrested, apprehended, detained, or held in any state custody during elections should be given the full opportunity to vote.

The group also wants all qualified inmates, who are citizens of Guyana, to be involved in any decision-making processes of the government including consultations for constitutional reform or other law reforms.

It was also noted that political parties should be given adequate time to visit, speak with, and campaign among all inmates and persons who are held in any state custody.

In a separate letter, the group explained its advocacy now and highlighted that it is under new leadership.

Ms. Leps, the second letter said, was appointed to the positon effective September 6, 2024.

It was noted that she only agreed to serve in the position until Mr. Williams is released from prison.

In December 2022, the local appellate court dismissed Williams’s appeal on finding that his convictions were safe and that the trial Judge properly exercised her sentencing discretion. Before that, he was found unanimously guilty on the two counts after a trial before Justice Jo Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court in April 2018.

In the end, he was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the two charges, with the Judge ordering that the jail terms be served concurrently. He becomes eligible for parole after 20 years.

The group, however, noted that Mr. Williams is suffering from severe health complications in prison. His case is reportedly under review by the Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which is considering his application for precautionary measures.