In the face of growing criticism of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to established a “closed” Sex Offenders Registry, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has come out in defence of the proposed legislation, saying the closed registry model would be in keeping with international standards. The Ministry also claims that the decision to have a closed-format registry followed extensive consultation.

In a statement, the Ministry explained that the proposed Amendment Bill marks a historic milestone as Guyana introduces its first-ever Sex Offenders Registry, joining dozens of nations globally in deploying the critical public safety tool.

It comes more than 15 years after the principal act – the Sexual Offences Act of 2010 – was passed in the National Assembly.

Laid in the National Assembly last Friday, the Bill seeks to strengthen protection for victims of sexual offences, harmonise the procedures, make it easier for cases of sexual offences to be addressed by the Courts, and significantly provide for “no statute of limitations.”

But while most of the proposed amendments have received little to no objection, Guyanese are increasingly objecting to Clause 15 of the Bill, which proposes the establishment of a National Sex Offender Database that would be closed to the public.

According to the Bill, the National Sex Offender Database will serve as a centralized system of recording information in relation to persons convicted of sexual offences under the Act. It, however, would not be accessible to the public.

But citizens are contending that the registry should be accessible to all.

The Human Services Ministry said the proposed model was embedded in the Bill after “widespread consultation.”

“To ensure total transparency and maximum civic participation, the draft legislation was subjected to widespread in-person consultations and was hosted publicly on the official website of the Ministry of Legal Affairs for two years to facilitate public input and recommendations. The resulting framework deeply reflects the diverse perspectives of the public, including over 60 civil society bodies, the judiciary, legal professionals, prosecutors, police and faith-based organisations, honouring our citizenry’s overwhelming demand for a registry and a stronger law, while maintaining a balanced, evidence-backed approach to risk management,” the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry, during those consultations, persons “overwhelmingly” advocated for the establishment of a closed model registry in keeping with international standards.

“As such, Guyana has adopted a closed registry model, an architecture that mirrors the legislative standard utilised by a majority of countries. In fact, numerous international jurisdictions have actively closed their previously open registries and transitioned to this exact model to eliminate the counterproductive impacts of public databases, such as driving offenders into hiding, inciting vigilantism, and causing damage to innocent family members, including children who may bear the devastating consequences, like bullying, physical and emotional ostracism, because of someone else’s actions,” the Human Services Minister explained.

The Human Services Ministry questioned whether family members of convicted sex offenders, particularly children, should endure dire consequences simply because of their relation.

A closed registry, the Ministry argued is intended to guard against unintended consequences, adding that it is for that reason penalties are imposed for unauthorised disclosures.

Under the proposed legislation, the Commissioner of Police, with the approval of the Minister of Home Affairs, would be responsible for maintaining the database, in addition, to ensuring that measures are in place to secure the information against unauthorised access, collection, distribution, alteration, and or disclosure.

To access information from the database, an application would first have to be made to the Commissioner of Police, and should access be granted, the person would be prohibited from distributing, transmitting or reproducing the information.

Failure to abide by the law, could result in summary conviction with a fine of $100,000 or imprisonment for three years.

The Ministry said contrary to public perception the registry would be accessible to the public through a procedure outlined in the legislation.

But the Bill clearly states, “the database shall not be accessible to the public.”

It, however, states that an application on a specific sexual offender by any person mentioned in 91D shall be made to the Commissioner of Police and the Minister responsible for Home Affairs in writing…”

According to Section 91D only officers of state and non-state institution, who are working with children or vulnerable adults shall be provided with the information relating to specific sexual offenders identified in the database.

“Under the 2026 amendments, the registry is merely one component of a proactive tracking system: it establishes strict, lawful channels for stakeholders, such as parents, guardians, and care-adjacent employers, to formally apply for and access vital safety information, while simultaneously imposing rigorous legal obligations on offenders to routinely check in with police and report all movements into and out of communities,” the Human Services Minister said.

The Ministry noted that while the “modernized” legislation remains open to future refinement as society evolves, it represents a decisive advancement in protecting Guyanese communities and strengthening the rule of law.

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