Modern extradition treaty needed – Jagdeo

The government is seeking to modernize and modify laws, including those relating to extradition, President Bharrat Jagdeo says.

Speaking at a press conference at the Office of the President last week, he stated that a modern framework and a modern extradition treaty are clearly needed. He added that an arsenal of tools to fight drug trafficking, from assistance in intelligence to modern laws is also needed and the government is in discussions with the US embassy.

The president said that he is looking forward to a more “enlightened” partnership with the United States on that issue noting that Guyana will be modernizing laws too.  He pointed out that the last meeting of the select committee to look at the money laundering bill has been held and at the next sitting of the National Assembly, Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh will present the report so that the bill can be passed.

“Then we need to look at the extradition treaty, we need to look at a number of other legislation that will allow us to have more tools to fight drug trafficking and crime generally. So I am pleased that we are moving forward in this regard,” said President Jagdeo.

With regard to the issue of extradition, a matter highlighted in recent times involved Barry Dataram for whom an extradition request was made by the US but this has been stalled following a court ruling which exposed a lacuna in the law.