Closed Sexual Offenders’ Registry backed by public consultation – Human Services Minister

Jun 10, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – Amid widespread critique about the decision to close the sexual offenders’ registry, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindyha Persaud on Tuesday said that the decision is supported by public consultation.

On June 5, 2026 the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill was presented in the National Assembly to include the register. After it was revealed that the register of perpetrators of sexual crimes will not be easily accessed by the public, several persons criticised the move on social media questioning whether the law is being crafted to protect perpetrators or the victims.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Minister Persaud noted that the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026 marks a historic milestone as Guyana introduces its first-ever sex offenders registry. She said it is the product of a proactive and inclusive national consultation.   She said that the move is to ensure total transparency and maximum civic participation and the draft legislation was subjected to widespread in-person consultations which 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,” Dr. Persaud explained.

Further, the minister said, “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.”

Social media users have expressed their disgust at the proposed amendment.

“Why is this administration fighting so hard to protect these monsters and why everyone is being silent about this? …So many questions,” Sonia Khan questioned via her Facebook page.

Another Facebook user Varsha Singh stated, “I would like to know where everyone that’s advocating for children is and anyone that has been sexually abused where is your outrage, anger and protest. This is what you need to dismantle because it feels as if it’s members of the party they are trying to protect.”

Child rights activist and Commissioner, Nicole Cole in an interview with the Guyana Standard issued a scathing rejection of government’s plans to place Guyana’s long-awaited Sexual Offenders Registry under the sole custody of the Commissioner of Police. Citing a “decade-long delay” and a breakdown in public confidence in law enforcement, Cole is championing the “Brazil Model”, a system where the judiciary, rather than the police, maintains oversight of offender data to ensure transparency and accountability.

Cole, who has campaigned publicly for the registry since 2014, argues this structure is fundamentally flawed. “I support the Brazil Model since it ensures transparency and accountability,” she said.

The Sex Offenders’ Registry is arriving more than 15 years after the principal 2010 Sexual Offences Act.

Meanwhile in her statement, Minister Persaud claimed that the comprehensive amendments are designed to systematically correct the statutory gaps and operational deficiencies that existed in the previous legislation.

She noted 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,” she added.

According to the Minister, 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, she said 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.

She asserted “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.

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• public consultation, Sexual offences, Sexual Offenders’ Registry, Vindyha Persaud

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