–Dr. Jagdeo says; emphasises its importance in protecting Guyanese, especially nation’s children from serious crimes

SERIOUS crimes, particularly those that threaten the wellbeing of children, will be among the targets of amendments to Guyana’s existing cybercrime law, Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and the country’s Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said.
Dr. Jagdeo, during a Thursday press conference, reiterated that the government will only seek out criminals within cyberspace.

“It is the whole intention of the government not to penalise free speech or to control of what takes place in cyberspace among ordinary people, but to ensure we have the tools when criminal activities are conducted in cyberspace, and protect the people of this country, including our children,” he reasoned.
Citing crimes like child pornography, Dr. Jagdeo rubbished claims that the government will go after ordinary citizens, social media influencers and commenters to stymie free speech.
In addressing Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader, Nigel Hughes’s spurious allegations of civil offence, the General Secretary reminded that it was the Coalition Government that criminalised civil libel, inserting provisions for individuals to be charged with sedition even while abroad.

Section 18, provided Subsection (1) (a) that a person commits an offence of sedition, punishable by imprisonment for five years, if the person, whether in or out of Guyana, intentionally publishes, transmits or circulates by use of a computer system or any other means, a statement or words, either spoken or written, a text, video, image, sign, visible representation, or other thing, that brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government established by law in Guyana.
“They’re talking about Budapest now. But how come those provisions were inserted in the 2018 Cyber Crime Act? Because at that time, APNU was intolerant of criticism. They didn’t want us to point out what happened with Videomega. If we had pointed that out in that time or so, they probably would have taken some more legal action against us, had the no-confidence motion, not taken place,” Dr. Jagdeo argued.

Guyana’s Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., recently announced that amendments would be made to the country’s existing legislation that was enacted by the previous, A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.
The Attorney- General had addressed concerns raised on social media, assuring the public that the government’s intention is to enact legislation that is both internationally acceptable and constitutionally compliant.
He reiterated that any regulatory measures would be implemented only after the conclusion of a United Nations Convention on Cyberspace Regulation.

The intended amendments to the current Act are part of the government’s commitment to be in compliance with the terms of that UN Convention, which are the standard set by the UN for its members, worldwide.