Children’s Court opens at Charity

The Judiciary of Guyana, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), officially opened the Children’s Court at the Charity Magistrate’s Court in Charity Magistrate District, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), to support the advancement of juvenile justice and the promotion of child welfare in the region.

The total cost of the project is $72 million.

This funding facilitated a comprehensive upgrade of the existing infrastructure, including the complete renovation of the original court building, the addition of a new annex, the installation of perimeter fencing, and full electrical rewiring and system upgrades.

It also supported the modernisation of both the children’s and magistrate’s courtrooms, along with the enhancement of washroom facilities to meet contemporary standards.

The opening ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, UNICEF Acting Representative to Guyana and Suriname Mr. Gabriel Vockel; Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Chief Justice, Justice Roxane George, and Justice of Appeal Navindra Singh, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, among other regional officials.

Delivering the feature address, Attorney General Nandlall hailed the occasion as a landmark achievement, noting that the Children’s Court is the first of its kind in Region Two. He underscored the government’s commitment to investing in children, whom he described as the country’s greatest resource.

“That’s why mechanisms have been put in place across all institutions, with constitutional provisions mandating that decisions affecting children must prioritise their best interest,” Attorney General said.

He also highlighted several modern legislative advancements relating to child custody, adoption, and juvenile justice all geared toward safeguarding the rights and welfare of children.

Touching on the importance of the newly commissioned Children’s Court, Nandlall noted that the 2018 Juvenile Justice Act established detailed protocols for how children should be treated when in conflict with the law. The court, he said, will provide a dedicated space for the proper implementation of this act.

From arrest to sentencing, the Minister  Nandlall emphasised that the entire process must remain child-focused and geared toward rehabilitation, with the active involvement of the Ministries of Legal Affairs and Human Services.