Justice Minister Delroy Chuck addressing the House of Representatives on Tuesday
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The Government is moving forward with legislation that, if passed, will see children convicted of capital murder being sentenced to a minimum 30 years in prison, with parole eligibility after 15 years.
That and other provisions were outlined by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
After extensive deliberations by a Joint Select Committee, dating far back as 2023, the Child Care and Protection (Amendment), Criminal Justice (Administration) (Amendment) and the Offences Against the Person (Amendment) Bills will now move through both houses of Parliament for possible enactment.
In asking for the full support of all members, Mr. Chuck reiterated that the bills represent a necessary and deliberate response to the levels of violent crime in the society, particularly those involving the most heinous offence, murder.
The government had attracted the ire of child rights groups after it initially proposed an amendment to the Child Care and Protection Act to allow the courts to set a minimum sentence of 20 years before a minor found guilty of murder becomes eligible for parole.
UNICEF and the Office of the Children's Advocate had voiced strong opposition to that provision when they appeared before the Joint Select Committee, saying any sentence imposed should be decided by a presiding judge.
Taking cognizance of that concern, Mr Chuck told the House on Tuesday that it was hoped that the reduction to 15 years before parole eligibility now "reflects the balance; not only the punishment of the offender, but also repose(s) in the family of the victim, how this Parliament feels."
He said the Government is seeking to assure that the provisions in the bills are carefully designed to be proportionate, constitutional, and respectful of the rights of all persons, including the right to due process and the possibility of rehabilitation in cases where it is genuinely warranted.
"I know that this Government is committed to justice, not vengeance, but we must also recognise that the punishment for murder must serve as a clear and unequivocal signal that the sanctity of life is paramount, and those who take it unlawfully must face serious consequences," he asserted.
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