The Juvenile Justice Department, within the Ministry of Home Affairs, reminds all media practitioners and members of the public of their legal and ethical obligation to protect the identity of juveniles involved in legal proceedings.

𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟬𝟬(𝟭) 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴 expressly prohibits the publication of the name or any information that identifies, or is likely to identify, a juvenile who is a party to, or otherwise concerned in, legal proceedings. These statutory protections are intended to safeguard the privacy, dignity and welfare of children who come into contact with the justice system.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟏𝟔 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖 further provides that every person who contravenes 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟎(𝟏) 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of three hundred thousand Guyana dollars ($300,000.00) and to imprisonment for six (6) months.