Press Releases

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Bartland Scotland C.C.H, MP, met with the British High Commissioner to Guyana and Suriname and The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)   representative to Guyana and Suriname in separate visits today, Thursday, 10 September 2015, in the Speaker’s Chamber, Public Buildings, Brickdam.

British High Commissioner to Guyana and Non-Resident Ambassador to Suriname Mr. Greg Quinn, who was accompanied by Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Dillon Seetram, had a lively exchange with the Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs. The discussion centred on parliamentary structure, where they compared a unicameral and a bicameral legislature, the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament and acceptable parliamentary practices in Guyana and other parts of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and local Parliamentary outreaches were also discussed.

Mr. Quinn was appointed British High Commissioner to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana in succession to Mr. Andrew Ayre in March 2015. Mr. Quinn joined the FCO in 1995 and has served overseas in Tallinn, Accra, Minsk, Baghdad, Kazakhstan and Washington. He graduated with a degree in International Politics and International History from the University of Wales in Aberystwyth.

UNICEF Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Ms. Marianne Flach, spoke about a number of legal issues concerning children. She expressed concerns about the Juvenile Justice Bill.  She pointed out that there is a shortage of information on the current situation of children in trouble with the law and action need to be taken to fill knowledge gaps so as to provide evidence which will support further improvements in the juevenile justice system.

One of the areas highlighted was the New Opportunity Corp (NOC) where she pointed out that alternative solutions should be put in place for children who are incarcerated for wandering.

Another area of concern was the issue of corporal punishment, where she noted that UNICEF was promoting a program of “positive discipline” throughout the Caribbean and that teachers should be trained to teach without administering corporal punishment. Others issues discussed included the marketing of breast milk substitutes, reviewing the Constitution to make sure that it takes into account all aspects of international law on children and the launching of a Children’s Parliament.Ms. Flachs was accompanied by Youth and Adolescent Development Officer, Ms. Jewell Crosse and Child Protection Officer, Ms. Patricia Gittens.

Ms. Flach was appointed UNICEF Representative to Guyana and Suriname in August 2013.  She has over 20 years of experience in rural development, with more than 12 years in management positions, in both Africa and Asia, in the areas of food security, nutrition, health, water and sanitation.
The visitors were taken to the Parliament Chamber, where the mace was on display for the occasion.