Guyana to host regional workshop for Judges, Prosecutors

As part of its mandate as Chair of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Guyana will be hosting a two-day workshop, which will address pressing issues in the Region, including violent extremism and the financing of terrorism.
The seminar will be held on May 3 and 4 at the Pegasus Hotel and is a collaborative effort of the Guyana Government, the Commonwealth Secretariat, CFATF and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The financing of the event will be covered by these bodies.
At a press conference on Thursday, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams disclosed that over 60 participants are expected to attend the workshop. These will mostly be Judges and State Prosecutors from the 25 member countries of CFATF.
While each country will have two participants – one judge and one prosecutor, Guyana has entered High Court Judges, Justice Navindra Singh and Justice Jo Ann Barlow, as well as Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, to attend the workshop.
The workshop will be facilitated by the experts from the Commonwealth Secretariat and CFATF.
Meanwhile, at the opening ceremony, addresses will be delivered by President David Granger and the Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland. During the period, Guyana will also be hosting receptions to welcome the participants including one at the President’s residence, State House.
According to the Legal Affairs Minister, among the topics up for discussion during the two days are countering violent extremism and the financing of terrorists and terrorism activities as well as CFATF’s mutual evaluation reports, investigative orders, prosecution and management of money laundering cases and international cooperation.
“The outcomes intended include having a better appreciation on the part of both bench and prosecution of the nature of money laundering offences, terrorist financing and what has been added to this is countering violent extremism,” Minister Williams stated.