– welcomes collaboration with protesters, other groups
MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand, has described as “strange and wholly uncalled for” the protest by a small group in the vicinity of Office of the President (OP) this week.
In a press statement, she said the placards carry slogans calling for the Government of Guyana to address matters that have already been publicly determined.
“One may recall that the governing party, in its manifesto of 2006, committed to revising and overhauling sex offences legislation. In 2007, a little over one year after the said commitment, ‘Stamp It Out’, a consultation paper containing proposals to strengthen protection against sexual violence and reform the law on sexual offences was published,” she said.
“This paper is most comprehensive and was the end result of intense research and careful consideration,” the Minister said.
Further, she said public consultations around ‘Stamp It Out’ were hosted in every region of the country with members of the public as well as specific interest groups being invited to contribute and, so, contributing to the ongoing debate about causes, harmful effects and preventative measures of this social and criminal matter.
Manickchand said the recommendations and suggestions from all participants coming out of those consultations were compiled and those informed the draft bill, which is being reviewed to ensure that it is thorough.
She announced that the legislation will be laid in the National Assembly soon.
“But not before we are quite sure that we have balanced the desires and needs of Guyanese, so expressed during the consultations, with the articles of our Constitution,” Manickchand said.
According to her, the Government has demonstrated the will to change the law; has made the necessary arrangements to capture and include the views of Guyanese all across Guyana and overseas; has drafted legislation which reflects these views and, incidentally, has encompassed all for which this group appears to be calling.
“What then is the protest for?” she asked.
Additionally, the Minister said, much needed legislation, with respect to children, has been laid in the National Assembly, debated and passed, including the Protection of Children Bill and many programmes have been strengthened and new initiatives taken with a view to arresting some of the social problems Guyana shares with the rest of the world.
Manickchand declared: “It is clear, from other pieces of legislation that were passed in attempts to address other socio-criminal issues (such as domestic violence) that legislation alone will never be enough to change harmful attitudes. What is clear also is that Government action alone, in this or indeed any other country, will not be enough to address issues like sexual violence.”
She said the protesting group may be better advised to reserve their energy and apply the efforts sensibly for something that is not already a done deal.
Manickchand said the Government would welcome collaboration with this and other groups to stamp out sexual violence.
