Women and Gender Equality Commission wants abolition of jury in justice delivery

By Kurt Campbell

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Chairperson of the Women and Gender Equality Commission Indra Chanderpaul has called on the relevant authorities to abolish the input of a jury in the justice delivery system.

Chanderpaul while speaking to reporters on Wednesday (November 27) expressed the belief that the jury system which has been in existence for more than 30 years has not been able to effectively deliver justice.

“The jury system is failing, the quality of jurors leaves much to be desired, we must do away with the jury system,” the Chairperson exclaimed.

Chanderpaul said if the abolition of the jury is unachievable since it needs to pass through the National Assembly then a revamp of the current pool of jurors is necessary.

She referred to statistics obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions which dealt mainly with cases of interpersonal violence to support her call.

She said there is also the need for a more uniformed sentencing structure for the perpetrators; pointing out that the current sentencing structure appears to be chaotic.

Chanderpaul said the Commission has met with President Donald Ramotar, Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall and the Minister of Human Services Jennifer Webster; lobbying Government to develop an holistic approach to deal with violence rather than the current piece meal approach that exist.