The National Assembly on Monday unanimously passed the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Bill, aimed at modernizing and streamlining the extradition process and bolstering international cooperation in combating transnational crime.
The bill sparked a debate between the Opposition and Government on the future of extradition laws in the country while addressing concerns about due process and misuse of legal powers.
With the passage of the bill Section 24 of the Fugitive Offenders Act will expand the scope of admissible evidence in extradition proceedings. It introduces the concept of a “record of evidence of the case,” encompassing documents, statements, and other evidence detailing the identity, location, and alleged crimes of the individual sought for extradition. This provision allows for a broader range of evidence to be considered, including materials that may not typically be admissible under Guyanese law.