Former Georgetown Mayor Pt. Ubraj Narine has launched a scathing attack on the government’s proposed Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026, arguing that provisions for a closed register of first-time sexual offenders place women and children at risk and undermine public safety.
In a letter published today, Narine criticised Persaud’s proposed legislation, arguing that it prioritises the privacy of offenders over the protection of victims.
“The proposal to maintain a closed register for first-time sexual offenders exposes a serious lapse in judgment and a troubling distance from the lived realities of Guyanese families,” Narine wrote.
The proposed legislation, which was laid in the National Assembly on June 5 by Persaud, seeks to amend Guyana’s sexual offences framework by establishing a national register of sexual offenders and introducing reporting and notification requirements aimed at strengthening mechanisms to reduce recidivism and enhance the protection of children and other vulnerable persons.
However, the Bill has generated significant controversy over provisions that would reportedly keep information relating to first-time sexual offenders inaccessible to the general public. Concerns have also been raised about the challenges victims face when reporting offences in tightly knit communities, where initial reports are often made to individuals other than law enforcement officers.
Stakeholders argue that access to information is often one of the few safeguards available to parents seeking to protect children and other vulnerable persons. These and other factors, observers contend, could have adverse consequences for Guyanese society and undermine confidence in the protection afforded to victims and vulnerable persons.
Narine argued that the proposed closed register deprives communities of critical information.
“Any parent in Guyana understands the fear that follows every headline, every whisper in the community. We do not live in policy papers; we live in villages, wards, and neighbourhoods where information saves lives. A closed register deprives parents and communities of the knowledge needed to protect their children. It places the comfort and anonymity of offenders above public safety. That is unacceptable.”
The former mayor also challenged the government’s claim that the legislation was informed by extensive public consultations.
“The Minister speaks repeatedly of public consultations. Guyanese are entitled to specifics. Which religious organisations were consulted? Which civil society groups? Which human rights bodies? Which political parties? Consultation cannot be a slogan. If it happened, produce the record. If it did not, say so plainly.”
His criticism comes as Persaud sought to defend the Bill in a subsequent social media post, stating that she, President Irfaan Ali and members of Cabinet support an open register.
“[We] hold the view that it should be an Open Register. However, the Bill was created based on the view of the public consultations, which overwhelmingly suggested a closed register,” the minister stated.
Persaud’s explanation has done little to quell public questions surrounding the consultation process. While the minister indicated that approximately 60 organisations participated in consultations, the identities of those groups have not been publicly disclosed, prompting calls for greater transparency regarding the stakeholders whose views informed the legislation.
The issue has attracted heightened scrutiny given longstanding public concerns about the handling of sexual offence allegations involving politically connected individuals and persons in positions of influence. Observers argue that transparency is essential to maintaining confidence in legislation designed to balance offender rehabilitation with public safety.
Amid the growing controversy, Persaud announced that she intends to propose that the Bill be referred to a Special Select Committee of Parliament for further examination.
“I plan to propose to have the Bill taken to the Select Committee in Parliament to have it further discussed by members. It will benefit from more scrutiny and views of that Committee,” she stated.
The announcement followed criticism from opposition parties, civil society voices and members of the public, many of whom have questioned both the substance of the proposed closed register and the process by which the legislation was developed.
The move appears more reactive than deliberate, coming in response to public outcry rather than as the result of serious consideration of the Bill’s potential implications for Guyanese society
The former mayor also addressed his use of the term “Kumariji” when referring to Persaud, noting that the Hindi term traditionally refers to an unmarried woman without children. He said he referenced the minister’s Hindu faith while arguing that Hindu teachings emphasise strong protections for women and children.
“I referenced the Manusmriti precisely because the Honourable Minister is a Hindu. One would expect, at minimum, an appreciation for the moral clarity within our own Dharma on the protection of women and children.”
Meanwhile, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has called for the bill to be withdrawn and for Persaud to resign. The party described the proposed legislation as “a slap in the face of the many women, men, and children who have suffered sexual abuse,” arguing that it “sends a troubling message that the concerns of victims are secondary to the interests of offenders.”
With the minister now proposing further parliamentary scrutiny, debate over whether Guyana should adopt an open or closed sexual offenders register is expected to intensify in the weeks ahead.
