Press Releases

The National Assembly, on August 9, 2012, committed to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee RESOLUTION NO. 23 OF 2012 which speaks to the abolition of corporal punishment in schools; the abolition of the death penalty; and the decriminalization of consensual adult same sex relations and discrimination against Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual and Transgender persons.
On Monday, February 11, the Committee comprising of Chairperson, Ms. Jennifer Webster, M.P., Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, M.P., Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues Birkette,M.P., Ms. Gail Teixeira,M.P., Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, M.P., Ms. Volda Lawrence, M.P., Ms. Afirco Selman, M.,P., Mr. Renis Morrian, M.P., and Ms. Catherine Hughes, M.P., and began its work.
The Committee is seeking to determine the attitude of Guyanese, especially parents and children, to corporal punishment and its possible abolition; the attitude of Guyanese, particularly the families of victims, criminologists, and professionals, on capital punishment and its possible abolition; and the attitude of Guyanese of any changes in legislative provisions and the criminal code regarding consensual adult same sex relationships and discrimination, perceived or real, against Lesbians, Gays, Bi-Sexual and Transgender persons.
The Committee, which is of the view that parliamentary consideration of these three matters would enhance the national examination procedurally, is currently examining the attitude of Guyanese, especially parents and children, to corporal punishment and its possible abolition and wishes to receive from members of the public, professional individuals, and organizations, their views.
The Parliamentary Special Select Committee is expected to advise the National Assembly of the status of its work programme periodically, and reports its findings and recommendations with regard to any or all of these aforementioned matters .
The Committee is therefore extending an invitation to members of the public to forward written submissions of their views on this matter not later than Friday, February 15th, 2013. Only submissions addressing the attitude of Guyanese, especially parents and children, to corporal punishment and its possible abolition are requested at this time. A subsequent notice will be published when the Committee commences consideration on the other aspects.
Copies of the Resolution can be obtained from the Parliament Office, Public Buildings, Brickdam or via the Parliament Office Web site: www.parliament.gov.gy. All written submissions can be sent to committees_division@yahoo.com or must be addressed to:
The Clerk of the Committee Special Select Committee On Guyana’s Commitment To The United Nations Human Rights Council With Regard To The Abolition Of Corporal Punishment In The Schools, The Abolition of The Death Penalty and The Decriminalization of Consensual Adult Same Sex Relations And Discrimination Against Lesbians, Gays, Bi-Sexual And Transgender Person (Resolution No. 23 of 2012)
Committees Division
Parliament Office
Public Buildings,
Georgetown.

Guyana appeared before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) during the first cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in May, 2010 and again in September, 2010 where its report was adopted.  At the conclusion of its review, Guyana received several recommendations and committed itself to consult on three main matters that may be considered controversial in Guyanese society, namely the abolition of corporal punishment, the abolition of the death penalty and the decriminalization of consensual adult same sex relations and discrimination against Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual and Trans-gender persons, with a view to garnering public sentiment which may lead to legislative changes;