Today, September 20, 2022 the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Robeson Benn, MP, Permanent Secretary, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Clifton Hicken, and Deputy Commissioner Administration, Calvin Brutus, joined Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency Mr. Mark. K. Berman, Chief Executive Officer of Justice Education Society, Ms. Sonia Poulin, Country representative and Project Director, Ms. Lisa Thompson, Project Officer, Ms. Stacia Rose and Head of Cooperation Ms. Jessica Teasdale at the Umana Yana to ink the ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ and launched the 4 years project being managed by the Justice Education Society.

Also in attendance were Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Yonette Cummings- Edwards, Director of Public Prosecution Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC LL.B, (Hons.), LEC, Minister of Legal Affairs Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall and others.

The Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry Of Home Affairs (MOHA) / Guyana Police Force (“GPF”) AND Justice Education Society of British Columbia (“JES”). The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a strategic alliance of cooperation between Ministry of Home Affairs (“MOHA”), the Guyana Police Force (“GPF”) and the Justice Education Society of British Columbia (“JES), to set out the general terms and conditions in implementing the project, Strengthening Justice to Women, Girls and Indigenous Peoples in Guyana 2022-2026.

The Project”, funded by Global Affairs Canada and aimed at strengthening the capacity of GPF and justice institutions to better investigate, address and respond to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), especially as it affects women, girls and Indigenous peoples in Guyana, with a human rights, gender sensitive and victim-centered approach.

The direct beneficiaries of this project will be women and girls living in Indigenous communities in Guyana’s hinterland, estimated to be between 10,000 and 12,000. Indirect beneficiaries will include men and boys, as well as large numbers of Venezuelan migrants who are being hosted in these communities, and will benefit from an equitable and safer society, and greater police capacity to protect vulnerable victims. Intermediaries who will benefit from the Project include the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Chamber of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Judiciary, the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Red Thread and other women’s groups and civil society organizations (CSOs). These organizations will benefit from increased capacity to deliver their respective services that benefit women and girls in Guyana.

In his brief remarks the Honourable Minister stated that we have a lot of challenges in Guyana, such as the indigenous Venezuelans coming to Guyana, poverty, mining and unregulated mining activities and other criminally illegal activities(drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, etc.). He stated that the MOU increases the country’s progress in achieving His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, vision of ONE GUYANA! Minister Benn, MP stated that we expect this to be a template on the treatment and opportunities that available to Women, Girls and Indigenous Peoples in Guyana. Since this project will begin in Region 1, he said that he is anxious for the commencement in other areas of the country. In an effort to progress, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security must all work together; said Minister Benn, MP.

To the Justice Education Society, who has been working with justice institutions in Guyana since 2015, has established inter-institutional agreements and projects with institutions of the justice sector, developing coordinated institutionalization processes to improve criminal investigations and attention to victims, I express my immense gratitude.

The Government of Guyana, Ministry of Home Affairs appreciates the support thus far and looks forward to the continued work and progress of this project, to Strengthen Justice to Women, Girls and Indigenous Peoples in Guyana.

Guyana Police Force, High Commission of Canada to Guyana and Suriname.