Georgetown: The Government’s expenditure of more than US$25M spent over the last five years to modernise the justice sector represents the un-assailing commitment of the Administration to resourcing the judiciary to ensure the delivery of a high quality of justice, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall said today at the re-commissioning of the Wales Magistrate’s court.
The funds, which were made available through an Inter American Development Bank (IDB) loan, saw the implementation of the Justice Modernisation Project, a project which has formally come to an end with the re-commissioning of the Wales Magistrate’s Court, Region Three.
Minister Nandlall, in highlighting the improvements, said, “Almost every court building in Guyana stretching from Crabwood Creek to Charity, and Lethem to Linden, has been refurbished, repaired, expanded or rehabilitated. In most instances, new buildings were erected as in this case. Indeed at Linden and Lethem works are being completed and they shall be opening soon”.
Addressing senior members of the judiciary and members of the public, the minister said that more than 100 pieces of new legislation were drafted and passed, “all designed to modernise the justice sector”. He mentioned that 12 volumes of the Law Reports of Guyana were revised and published, dating from 1977 to 2007. The Laws of Guyana have also been revised after a 34- year hiatus and are at present available for purchase. He added that every effort is being made to accommodate new judges who will be sworn in shortly. Mention was also made of the Family Court which will also be launched soon.
Specialised courts such as the Constitutional and Commercial Courts have also been established, Minister Nandlall noted and an automatic voice recording system will be established in the High Court, along with the Court of Appeal. These improvements, he said, represent government’s commitment to justice, freedom and the rule of law.
“We believe in the government that there is a strong connection between economic advancement and the justice system. In fact, I’m of the firm view that intellectual paralysis, social stagnation and economic degradation will befall any society that in any subtle form attempts to deny its people freedom and justice, and I’m fortified in that view, by looking at the human experiences itself”.
Minister Nandlall refuted claims by some members of the political opposition that the judiciary was subservient to the executive.
“When we want to make these statements we must put them in a context, and we must reflect on our own history because it is important that when we occupy certain positions for the benefit of all the people we must be taken seriously when we make pronouncements.”
He said that at no time in the independent history of this country has the judiciary been more secured, more resourced and more independent than it is today.
“… but one cannot condemn our system, condemn the integrity of our judges, condemn the integrity of our magistrates by making irresponsible statements that the judiciary is subject to the Executive, to the Legislature, it is not so, and it is my responsibility to reject that notion whenever it presents itself at least on behalf of this government, and I give that commitment to the people of this country on behalf of this government, the independence of the judiciary will be assured so long as the PPP/C administration holds the reins of Government of this country.”
In closing Minister Nandlall implored those charged with utilising the new court, to ensure it is used for the benefit of the people of the country. “We believe that justice must be equal and accessible to all irrespective of economic standing or economic location”.
The building was described by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Carl Singh as “a place where all are treated equally, and all are equal in the eyes of the law”.
The new facility will only be effective if those providing services in the justice sector demonstrate a work ethic and outlook that will result in a general change of attitudes. He urged those present at the ceremony, particularly students to desist from wrong doing and called for support of magistrates by the general public.
The Chancellor stated that the magistracy is not designed to inflict or perpetuate wrong doings and where that happens he offered the assurance that such cases will be dealt with in as forcible a manner as can be mustered.
Persons who feel wronged, he stressed always have recourse to the Court of Appeal and his office as he is accessible to the public.
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