Prosecutors’ code launched

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack addressing the launch. Seated (from right) are Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Deputy Commissioner of Police Paul Williams and United Nations Representative Mikiko Tanaka. (Photo by Terrence Thompson)

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday launched its code for prosecutors, which is intended to serve as a guide on determining whether criminal charges should be instituted.

The set of codified principles embodies the initiative of implementing uniformity in the laying of charges in order to ensure fairness to an accused person while at the same time balancing the public’s interest.

Expressing her pleasure with the launch of the code, DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack, during the simple launch at the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel, said that she has always had the desire to have such a code implemented in Guyana.

Ali-Hack, who noted that prosecutions are an integral part of the criminal justice system, said that the code holds to the hallmarks of integrity and transparency, while noting that it seeks to explain why and how prosecutors do what they do in the execution of their duties.