President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has called for a serious examination of the death penalty as a possible response to heinous crimes, following the killing of six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice.
Speaking during an interview with Neil Marks of Newsroom on Tuesday, the president condemned the circumstances surrounding the child’s death and said he had asked the Attorney General to examine the issue, arguing that certain crimes demand a stronger response from the justice system.
“No, it’s atrocious. You know, as president, you have to deal with many things. But what took place there is not only heinous, you can’t be human,” President Ali said.
According to police sources, the child’s father, 45-year-old Bharrat Jaikarran, reportedly confessed to throwing him overboard after allegedly being told by a local pujari that the boy was not his biological son.
President Ali said the incident, along with other crimes of an extreme nature, has prompted him to consider whether existing penalties are sufficient to deter such acts and convey the seriousness with which society views them.
While acknowledging the human rights considerations surrounding capital punishment, the head of state maintained that the country must confront the question of how best to respond to crimes that shock the conscience of the nation.
“I believe that, you know, we really need to look at this,” he said, adding that he had asked the Attorney General to examine the matter carefully.
The president stressed that the judicial process must take its course but argued that, once justice has been served, the country should consider whether more severe penalties are warranted in the most extreme cases.
Asked directly whether he believed the death penalty was the stronger measure required, President Ali responded emphatically: “One hundred percent.” [DPI]
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