President David Granger has offered no Presidential pardons for 2016 because many of those being recommended and seeking pardon do not meet the criteria set out for the second chance.
Speaking on the weekly programme, The Public Interest, the President made it clear that cocaine traffickers, murderers and persons convicted of other serious and violent crimes will never be receiving pardons from him.
“I don’t pardon people for the sake of pardoning people”, the President said, as he further explained that persons with “blood on their hands” would not be receiving any pardon from him.
He reminded that those who were granted pardon last year were persons who were convicted of minor offenses and who were nearing the completion of their sentences. He said particular attention would usually be given to women who are mothers, but added that those recommended for pardon this year, have not satisfied the requirements.
News Source understands that a number of women who are serving time for drug trafficking have been trying to get pardons. “I am not going to tolerate trafficking”, he told the journalists on the programme.
Last year, a number of women and youths who were serving time for minor, non-violent offences were pardoned after recommendations were made to the President.
Most of them have since reintegrated into the society after participating in a US sponsored development programme.
Some sections of the society had criticized the move to grant pardons. Presidential pardons are catered for under the laws of Guyana.
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