The Honourable Mr. Justice Carl Singh, Chancellor of the judiciary of Guyana has urged participants of the JURIST Project’s Collaborative Workshop to focus their attention and efforts over the next two days on laying the groundwork for an action plan for the Supreme Court.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop on July 8, 2016 Chancellor Singh reminded the participants that there continues to be concerns about the processes and work of the court system. “Overtime, there have been repeated criticisms about the conduct of the courts – significantly in relation to its treatment of domestic violence cases and domestic violence victims,” he said. He went on to say that the business community is also quite critical of the delays in the justice system.
Chancellor Singh noted that during the workshop it is expected that those present would be involved in making contributions that would result in a programme that will address concerns at both the Magisterial and Supreme Court levels and “hopes we can do this in a collective and holistic way.”
The Honourable Mme. Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chief Justice (Ag) added that the JURIST Project has been working with the judiciary of Guyana for some time now. She highlighted that in February of this year, there were consultations with the judiciary, Bench and Bar and they have all been given an undertaking to assist in the development of the Civil Procedures Rules (CPR) in areas where assistance is needed. Those consultations, she said, focused on gathering information from regional stakeholders, members of the judiciary and the Bar.
Mr. Daniel Joly, Head of Development Aid, High Commission of Canada to Guyana and Suriname brought greetings on behalf of High Commissioner, His Excellency Pierre Giroux.
He said the consultative workshop was important as it will inform the activities to be implemented in Guyana under the JURIST Project. “You have a very robust agenda for the next two days. That agenda supports the vision that Canada and Guyana share for a more secure and prosperous Caribbean region” he reiterated. Mr. Joly explained that Canada has established the $600 million Caribbean Regional Development Program which includes initiatives that build stronger leadership in the public service, better public finance management, a stronger and more entrepreneurial private sector, improved rule of law and better disaster risk management.
He further stated that both Guyana and Canada share a vision of an integrated Caribbean Community, one that is better able to generate sustainable economic growth, contributing to increasing opportunity and security to its citizens. “We recognise and acknowledge the major role that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and the national judiciaries have to play in this process,” he said.
Noting that, strengthening rule of law through justice sector reform is critically important to CARICOM Member States, Mr. Joly said while reform that strengthens the rule of law and bolsters confidence in the justice system is of course important foremost for the citizens of this region and their welfare, it is also likely to contribute to a positive climate for investors and benefit regional and national economies.
In the past few years, Canada has been lending support for the establishment of the family court, and they continue to provide support through the ‘Strengthening the Guyanese Criminal Justice System Project’. Canada also works alongside Guyana to safeguard Guyanese citizens and promote and protect their human rights, particularly of vulnerable groups such as women, children and the LGBTI community.
Approximately 30 representatives from a cross section of organisations at the national level including the judiciary, Police, Prisons, court administration, mediation service providers, non-governmental and civil society organizations and the business community attended the workshop.
