…as remaining members sworn-in
The remaining members of the Law and Constitutional Reform Commissions took the oaths of office on Tuesday before President Dr. Irfaan Ali at the Office of the President.
The remaining members of the Law and Constitutional Reform Commissions with President Dr Irfaan Ali; Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and Chancellor (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards at the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday at the Office of the President
Joining Attorney at Law Emily Dodson and former Opposition Member of Parliament and Indigenous Rights Advocate, Lenox Shuman and other members at the Law Reform Commission is Dr. Marie Correia and Everton Singh-Lammy.
Meanwhile, General Secretary for A New and United Guyana (ANUG) Timothy Jonas, S.C. from the Joinder Parties; Kamal Ramkarran, representing the Guyana Bar Association and Keoma Griffith from Christian Organisations will now join several Members of Parliament and civil society bodies at the Constitutional Reform Commission.
During his address at the swearing in ceremony, President Dr. Irfaan Ali spoke of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of society and the need to make necessary reforms to the legislative architecture to protect the explosive development and to be responsive to modern justice demands.
On this point, the Head of State expressed his confidence in the commissions continuing its work and delivering exemplary service.
He noted that the Government is pleased with all the appointees and new voices, which will play an integral role in ensuring the country remains competitive and efficient, as its citizens enjoy a high level of judicial service that is complex and not complicated.
“The type of representation that we see, it also shows that our country is bringing the next generation of important human asset into the frame of decision making, a very high level, and also being part of what will be the fundamental basis for our nation in this constitution and also in the law revision commission,” President Ali said.
The Guyanese leader added that the commissions, will allow the country to keep abreast with developments while supporting a modern legal framework, which will ensure the Guyana’s development trajectory is relevant to the world.
He explained that investments have and will continue to be aside for this purpose.
“In the judiciary we have tremendous work ongoing to make the judiciary more efficient, more reliable to ensure that the judiciary is placed in a modern frame and not only work in terms of physical infrastructure, investment in equipment and so on but work in terms of ensuring we have the right human asset deployed to meet the requirements of our country,” he added.
The first cohort of members of the Law Reform Commission which also include Teni Housty, Deenawati Panday, and Clarissa Riehl were sworn in on January 23, 2024 while 17 of the 20 members of the Constitutional Reform Commission were sworn in on April 3, 2024.
The Law Reform Commission in Guyana is a crucial entity responsible for the regular updating and alignment of the country’s laws with global legislative trends.
Its responsibilities encompass prioritising and establishing a programme for legal reforms, preventing legislative stagnation, and serving the executive and national interest.
The Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Act 2021 – No. 2 of 2021 received Presidential Assent on February 16, 2021, thereby allowing persons who hold a variety of qualifications to sit on the commission.
Further, in August 2022, the Constitution Reform Commission Bill, which seeks the establishment of a Constitution Reform Commission to review the country’s supreme laws, was passed.
Following the passage of the Bill, Government earmarked the sum of $150 million in the 2023 National Budget for constitutional reform activities.
This year, additional monies have been allocated towards establishment of the CRC, including the rental of a building to house the Commission.
According to the Constitution Reform Commission Act, members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President and will include five members of the PPP/C, four members of the APNU+AFC, one member each from the ANUG, the Guyana Bar Association, the Labour Movement, the National Toshao’s Council, the private sector, representatives of women organisations, youth organisations, Christian, Hindu and Muslim organisations, as well as nominee representing farmers.
Additionally, provisions of the CRC Bill stipulate that the Commission will review the Constitution to provide for the current and future rights, duties, liabilities and obligations of the Guyanese people. It is mandated for that purpose to receive, consider and evaluate submissions for the alteration of the Constitution, and report its recommendations to the standing committee for transmission to the National Assembly.
In conducting the review, the commission will consider the full protection of the fundamental rights of and freedom of Guyanese under law, the rights of indigenous people of Guyana, the rights of children, eliminating discrimination in all forms, improving ethnic relations while promoting ethnic security and equal opportunity.
This particular body will also, among other things, implement reforms relating to elections and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), taking into consideration its composition, method of electing its chairman and members and its jurisdiction over national registration and electoral process.
Government’s model for constitutional reform is laid out in its 2020-2025 manifesto, and promotes the inclusion of all Guyanese in the review process. (G1)
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