Guyana upholds human rights, Govt acts against abuses – US Report

…cites justice system delays, pretrial detention hurdles

The United States Department of State released its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Wednesday, noting that while there were no significant changes in the human rights situation in Guyana during the year, the government continued to take credible steps to address abuses.
The report acknowledged that the Guyanese government made efforts to identify and punish officials who committed human rights violations. Notably, there were no reports of coerced abortion or involuntary sterilization by government authorities, reflecting adherence to constitutional protections.
However, the report highlighted that arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention remained concerns, with the report citing the case of Terrence Sandy, who alleged he was wrongfully arrested by police in June 2023 and detained for over two months. Sandy filed a lawsuit against the government seeking 96 million Guyanese dollars (approximately $446,000), which remained ongoing as of September.
Lengthy pretrial detention continued to be a major issue, primarily driven by judicial delays, staff shortages, and cumbersome legal procedures. Pretrial detainees accounted for 41 per cent of the prison population, and the average length of pretrial detention at Magistrates’ Courts or the High Court was three years, often exceeding the maximum sentence for the alleged crime. According to the report, in response, the government passed the Criminal Law Procedure (Paper Committal) Bill in July, a legislative measure aimed at reducing pretrial detention by replacing in-person hearings with written submissions from the defense and prosecution.
The report stated that Guyana’s constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, and citizens retain the right to challenge the lawfulness of their detention in court. While reports of violations persist, the government generally observes these legal requirements.
Overall, the report underscores that Guyana has made measurable efforts to uphold human rights, while highlighting areas requiring continued reform, particularly in judicial efficiency and detention practices.
It also highlighted that “the government cooperated with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, and other humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to migrants and other populations in need of protection.”
According to the report, Guyana’s constitution provided for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, and the government generally respected this right. “Independent news media were active and expressed a wide variety of views. Some members of media reported they faced discrimination and hostile personal verbal attacks in response to public inquiries,” the report stated.