UNICEF, in collaboration with various entities, last week hosted a sensitisation session on juvenile justice, where journalists were urged to exercise greater vigilance over the release of information surrounding juveniles.
As a part of the session, which was held at the Marriott Hotel, remarks were given by the Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, the Deputy Chair-person for the Rights of the Child Com-mission Rosemary Benjamin-Noble, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, UNICEF resident representative in Guyana Sylvie Fouet and President of the Guyana Press Association Nazima Raghubir.
Throughout the presentations one message was clear: the important role the media plays in the rolling out of the new bill and ensuring that the desires of the Juvenile Justice Act, which include rehabilitation, reintegration and education of juveniles, are met.
The aim of the new act is to encourage reintegration of juveniles into society by decriminalising certain acts and alternatives to custodial sentencing.
Chief Magistrate McLennan, in her address, highlighted the fact that the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court has constructed a juvenile court on the lower flat of the building that is child friendly. This court, she stated, will be presided over by two magistrates who have already received specialised training and are presently in the USA.
Benjamin-Noble reiterated the fact that the media ought to remember that “juvenile rights” are “human rights.” She expressed her disappointment at the way stories relating to juveniles are reported. The rights of the child and his/her identity are important, she said, while urging media in receipt of information relating to juveniles to be careful how it is reported.
Similar sentiments were shared by Fouet, who stated that the way stories are captured can either limit the success of youths or put them back on the right agenda. “Use the power of the pen and the book, or the camera to bring positive change to the environment,” she said.
