From 10 to 11 July 2024, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will be in Guyana to attend the Legal Conference on Criminal Justice Reform – Advancing the Needham’s Point Declaration.
The event is being hosted by the Government of Guyana, through the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, in partnership with the CCJ Academy of Law and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Stakeholders including legislators, government officials, judges from the Caribbean Court of Justice, national and regional judicial officers, academics, law students, civil society representatives and experts from international organisations, will participate in the conference.
The initiative aims to accelerate justice reform in Guyana to meet the evolving needs of the country’s legal and regulatory environment. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, who was appointed a Queen’s Council in 1991 and has served as the Attorney General of England and Wales, was pleased to support the country’s reform agenda.
“Justice is at the very heart of ensuring that we have a society that is not only enabling but equitable. We are charged to deliver justice, particularly for the poor, the marginalised, the silenced and the vulnerable. We can use the law as a weapon against injustice and wield it with skill whilst empowering the next generation.”
“By gathering regional stakeholders and approaching the planning process in a consultative and collaborative manner, shows a commitment to accessible and equitable justice. I salute the Government of Guyana for taking this bold step with this conference and look forward to sharing in the discussions. Additionally, my team and I will be assessing how we can support these efforts going forward.”
The Commonwealth Secretariat continues to support its member countries by providing technical assistance and developing model laws, templates and toolkits that can be customised to suit their specific needs. By doing so, the organisation harnesses the expertise and experience of some of its 2.7 billion Commonwealth citizens to strengthen access to justice and promote sustainable development.
