Guyanese President Irfaan Ali

GUYANA MAINTAINS STANCE ON DEATH PENALTY

March 25, 2024:

In a recent address to the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC), Guyana reiterated its stance on the contentious issue of the death penalty, CNW reported on March 20, 2024.
Governance Minister Gail Teixeira emphasized that the decision regarding the death penalty lies with the citizens, highlighting a historical precedent where public sentiment favored its retention during a similar discourse between 1999 and 2001.
Teixeira clarified that Guyana currently upholds an informal moratorium on executions, dating back to 1997. 
Despite the existence of laws permitting capital punishment, she emphasized that there are no active plans to execute individuals under the current legal framework.
Notably, Teixeira highlighted the absence of key personnel and infrastructure necessary for carrying out executions. 
She pointed out the government’s failure to appoint heads of prison services or allocate funds toward developing execution capabilities, further solidifying the informal moratorium.
The discussion around the death penalty in Guyana is compounded by international pressure, with various agencies advocating for its abolition, citing concerns over its cruelty and inhumanity. 
Despite a recent court ruling in 2022 that upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty, the matter may eventually necessitate parliamentary review.