Citizens can now demand transparency and accountability from the Government and Public Offices by seeking redress in the courts. This is the main tenant of the bill and its 23 clauses which primarily allow “ an application to the court for relief against an administrative act or omission”.
Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Charles Ramson Sr, in his debate on the bill, said it enables citizens to make an application to the High Court in seeking relief by way of judicial review of any decision taken by public officials. The court will then determine the lawfulness of the decision by the officials and award suitable relief if necessary. The Bill also provides that persons who can not afford a lawyer, will still have their issues addressed by the court. There are calls by other MP’s for public officials and citizens to be educated on the Bill’s provisions. Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, described the bill as a significant achievement for the judicial system in Guyana.
