Closed Registry Model in Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill stems from public consultations

See below o𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲:  

The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026 marks a historic milestone as Guyana introduces its first-ever sex offenders registry, joining dozens of nations globally in deploying this critical public safety tool. Arriving more than 15 years after the principal 2010 Sexual Offences Act, these comprehensive amendments are designed to systematically correct the statutory gaps and operational deficiencies that existed in the previous legislation.

The Bill benefits from multiple amendments of which the Sex Offenders Registry is only one. Overall, the amendments seek to strengthen protection for victims of sexual offences, harmonise the procedures making it easier for cases of sexual offences to be addressed by the courts, and significantly provides for “no statute of limitations”; no time limit to charge someone with this crime.

This landmark bill is the product of a proactive and inclusive national consultation. To ensure total transparency and maximum civic participation, the draft legislation was subjected to widespread in-person consultations and was hosted publicly on the official website of Ministry of Legal Affairs for two-years to facilitate public input and recommendations. The resulting framework deeply reflects the diverse perspectives of the public, including over 60 civil society bodies, the judiciary, legal professionals, prosecutors, police and faith-based organisations, honouring our citizenry’s overwhelming demand for a registry and a stronger law, while maintaining a balanced, evidence-backed approach to risk management.

Crucially, on the question of the model of the registry to be used in the legislative framework, it is the widespread consultation that overwhelmingly advocated for the establishment of a closed model registry. As such, Guyana has adopted a closed registry model, an architecture that mirrors the legislative standard utilised by a majority of countries.

In fact, numerous international jurisdictions have actively closed their previously open registries and transitioned to this exact model to eliminate the counterproductive impacts of public databases, such as driving offenders into hiding, inciting vigilantism, and causing damage to innocent family members, including children who may bear the devastating consequences like bullying, physical and ostracism because of someone else’s actions.

Should family members, especially children face these dire consequences simply because of their relation? It is to guard against these unintended consequences that a penalty is imposed on those who make unauthorised disclosures.

Contrary to the misinformation that is circulating, this registry is accessible to the public through a procedure outlined in the legislation which requires an application to be made for the information on persons who are subjects of the registry.

Under the 2026 amendments, the registry is merely one component of a proactive tracking system: it establishes strict, lawful channels for stakeholders, such as parents, guardians, and care-adjacent employers to formally apply for and access vital safety information, while simultaneously imposing rigorous legal obligations on offenders to routinely check in with police and report all movements into and out of communities.

While this modernised legislation remains open to future refinement as society evolves, it represents a decisive advancement in protecting Guyanese communities and strengthening the rule of law.