— Attorney General tasked with examining legal and human-rights implications

PRESIDENT Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has called for a review of Guyana’s position on the death penalty, arguing that tougher punishment for heinous crimes could serve as a strong deterrent and reinforce the seriousness with which such offences are treated.
Speaking during an interview with News Room, the Head of State disclosed that he had asked the Attorney General to examine the issue, while acknowledging the legal, judicial and human-rights considerations involved.
“We are, of course, very cognisant of the human rights issues and challenges,” President Ali said, noting that certain crimes “touch the core of our society” and warrant serious consideration of the penalties available under the law.
Asked whether he was referring to punishment more severe than imprisonment, President Ali responded: “Of course.”
When specifically asked whether he meant the death penalty, he replied: “100 per cent.”
The President’s remarks follow the discovery of the decomposed body of six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran in a canal at Bath Settlement after he had been reported missing for four days.
The child’s father, 45-year-old Bharrat Jaikarran, reportedly told investigators that he had visited a pujari who allegedly suggested that Orlando was not his biological son.
According to an account provided to police, the father subsequently travelled by motorcycle to the backlands near the sea dam, left the motorcycle there and returned home to collect the child.
He allegedly took Orlando back to the area and threw him into the water, despite knowing that the six-year-old could not swim.

Sources close to the investigation told the Guyana Chronicle that the father reportedly informed investigators he was aware that a neighbour had CCTV cameras in the area.
He allegedly explained that Orlando frequently accompanied him on early-morning fishing trips and that taking the child out at that hour would not have raised suspicion.
The sources further disclosed that the father had reportedly expressed frustration over arrangements concerning his children following his separation from their mother.
According to the account, one child was living with the mother while three remained in his care.
He allegedly told investigators that he had proposed an arrangement under which the mother would take two children while he retained responsibility for the other two, but she had not agreed.
These details form part of the reported police investigation and have not been established as findings of a court.
Before Orlando’s body was discovered, his grandmother, Dhankumarie Gowkarran, told reporters that she had questioned her son about whether he had harmed the child.
He reportedly denied any involvement at the time.
Meanwhile, Orlando’s mother, 31-year-old Navita Ramnarine, has been left devastated by the loss of her son.
“Orlando is my favourite baby, and that is my baby boy. And I’m really gonna miss him,” she said.
Ramnarine recalled learning of her son’s disappearance last Thursday night after receiving a telephone call from a friend.
What followed were four agonising days of searching as relatives desperately hoped that the child would be found alive.
She also disclosed that she and the child’s father had been in a relationship for approximately 12 years before separating because of what she described as abuse.
MINISTER CONDEMNS KILLING
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud has strongly condemned the suspected killing, describing the act as “monstrous” and calling for the full force of the law to be applied.
The minister also expressed concern over allegations that statements made by a pujari had contributed to the circumstances preceding the child’s death.
“I unequivocally condemn any pujari (as is alleged in the newspaper) who causes destruction in homes by uttering statements under the guise of ‘religion’,” Persaud stated.
She stressed that while individuals remain responsible for their own actions, spiritual guidance should never be used to create suspicion, division or hostility within families.
“It is unconscionable to create mischief in anyone’s mind, home and family,” she said.
Persaud urged citizens to be cautious of individuals who claim to predict the future or encourage harmful behaviour under the guise of religious or spiritual authority.
“That’s not divine nor goodness and must not be tolerated,” she emphasised.
The child’s death has brought renewed attention to the protection of vulnerable children and the penalties imposed for the most serious criminal offences.