Guyana president wants death penalty review after child killing

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has called for a serious review of the death penalty as a possible response to heinous crimes after the body of a six-year-old was found near a canal in the country on Tuesday. Ali said he has already asked Attorney General Anil Nandlall to examine the issue, arguing that certain crimes demand a stronger response from the justice system. “No, it’s atrocious. You know, as president, you have to deal with many things. But what took place there is not only heinous; you can’t be human,” Ali said. Police said Bharrat Jaikarran, the father of the six-year-old child, is the prime suspect and remains in custody. The body was found after investigators obtained information, including additional surveillance footage showing the child’s father travelling on a motorcycle towards the canal with what appeared to be his son before returning later without him, police said. The incident, along with other crimes of an extreme nature, has prompted Ali to consider whether existing penalties are sufficient to deter such acts. While acknowledging the human rights considerations surrounding capital punishment, the head of state maintained that the country must confront the question of how best to respond to crimes that shock the conscience of the nation. “I believe that, you know, we really need to look at this,” he said, stressing that the judicial process must take its course. But he said once justice has been served, the country should consider whether more severe penalties are warranted in the most extreme cases. Asked directly whether he believed the death penalty was the stronger measure required, Ali responded emphatically: “One hundred per cent.”