Gov’t holds public consultation on Witness Protection & Protected Disclosures or Whistleblower Bills 2016

A public consultation was today held at the Pegasus Hotel on the Witness Protection and Protected Disclosures or Whistleblower Bills 2016, which would be presented in the National Assembly, when Parliament reconvenes on Thursday.

During his remarks at the Public Consultation, Attorney general and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams said the two draft bills, are among a suite of bills that address the issue of corruption and bribery that has been crippling the Guyanese society for a number of years.

Among the objectives of the Whistleblower legislation, Williams said, is to inform persons of their right to disclose information regarding misconduct in the Public Service and the protection offered when doing so.

As it relates to the Witness Protection Bill, the Attorney general informed that it provides for the establishment of a programme to protect witnesses and other persons and gives effect to the CARICOM agreement establishing the Regional Justice Protection Programme of 1999, which came into force in the year 2006.

Meanwhile, offering remarks, High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana and Suriname Pierre Giroux gave a synopsis of how the two pieces of legislation work in Canada, noting that a Code of Ethics, which deals with unacceptable behaviours in the Public Service was created to be included in the legislation.

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge along with stakeholders, who were given the opportunity to make several recommendations regarding the draft bills before they are taken to the House were in attendance at the Consultation.