The police are to implement recommendations made at Thursday’s consultation on crime to ensure the integrity of information received and protect the identity of the persons providing the information.
Meanwhile, President Bharrat Jagdeo has indicated that during the rest of this year and most of next year efforts will be made to amend several laws to give support to the police in their fight against crime.Briefing reporters yesterday at the Office of the President, Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj, said another recommendation would address the attitude of the police to people they take into custody and the way they are treated while being detained.
Gajraj said that about 10-15 groups were represented at the Ocean View Hotel meeting but he was disappointed that about five of them did not attend nor offered an excuse for their absence. The political party ROAR was not represented and the PNC/R sent an observer.
Gajraj said, “Knowing ROAR representatives have been very vocal on the crime scene, particularly having regard to ethnic considerations and community positions, their absence from the meeting was very much noticeable.”
Responding to the statement by the PNC/R that the consultation in the form being pursued by the government would be useless, Gajraj disagreed, pointing out “because we think there is advantage to be derived from that process that’s why we have embarked on it.”
Gajraj explained that the consultations which began on Thursday and would be continued over the next several weeks in Berbice, Essequibo, Linden and Bartica were the continuation of a process which started with the operatives of the security forces. Also he said that both he and President Jagdeo had met several interest groups including the private sector, the churches and the Guyana Manufacturers’ Association.
Responding to another comment by the PNC/R that the consultation was hastily put together, Gajraj said that the decision to hold the meeting was taken about a week ago after the task force which was looking at the implementation of the June 7 menu of measures decided that the wider civil society should be consulted.
Commenting on the PNC/R’s observation that it could not understand the motivation, which allowed the government to invite the party to a consultation on crime after accusing it of being complicit in crime, Gajraj said that the invitation was extended after the PNC/R called somewhat belatedly for a national consultation on crime.
About the legislation needed President Jagdeo, according to a release from the Government Information Agency, said that these would include amendments to be tabled shortly in parliament to better monitor deportees on their return. Also, the release said, the Criminal Law Act would be amended to provide for cases of domestic terrorism where people damage public property with the intent of causing terror and harming other people. The amendment will create a new offence.
Amendments will also be made to the Racial Hostility Act to allow for firm action to be taken against people who promote racism and to the Evidence Act to ensure that videotapes and other electronic sources could be used as evidence in the courts.
The amendments will also allow for a significant increase in the penalties for gun crimes in terms of fines and jail sentences. Tougher penalties will also be provided for through the Traffic Act as well as the introduction of a ticketing system as part of the move to improve efficiency and transparency in the application of the law.