DPP’s Office conducts community outreach in Upper Mazaruni

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recently hosted a two-day Community Outreach Programme in Kamarang/Warwatta and Waramadong, Upper Mazaruni District, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), aimed at increasing public awareness about the functions of the DPP’s Office and its role in the criminal justice system.

The outreach, held in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force’s Region Seven Division led by Assistant Commissioner Deon Moore, featured discussions on key legal and social issues affecting hinterland communities, including domestic violence, sexual offences, protection orders, and victims’ rights.

Representing the DPP’s Office were Senior State Counsel Mohamed Muntaz Ali, Legal Assistants Fenton Budhram and Amya Manu, and Communications Officer Liz Rahaman. The team, alongside Commander Moore, met with residents of Kamarang and Warwatta on Tuesday, where they highlighted the importance of reporting domestic violence, seeking help from the police and family members, and understanding the legal avenues available for protection and justice.

Among the more than 40 attendees were Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) Deon Seecharan, Headmaster of the Kamarang Primary School, Mr. Alex Cranmer, Dr. Erastus of the Kamarang Health Centre, as well as nurses, teachers, and community representatives. Both Seecharan and Cranmer commended the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that it provided residents an opportunity to raise concerns and seek clarity on policing and legal matters.

On Wednesday, October 8, the DPP’s delegation travelled to Waramadong following an invitation from Chairperson Toshao Alma Marshall of the Upper Mazaruni District Council (UMDC) to address its statutory meeting. The UMDC represents eight Indigenous villages — Paruima, Waramadong, Kamarang/Warwatta, Kako Village, Jawalla, Phillipai, Kambaru/Omaneika, and Chinoweing.

Toshao Marshall praised the DPP’s Office for its outreach efforts, describing the engagement as “a significant step toward building stronger collaboration between the DPP’s Office, the Guyana Police Force, and the UMDC.” She noted that despite the limited time available due to travel constraints, the discussions on criminal justice matters, particularly murder and sexual offence cases, were informative and beneficial to council members.

During the session, council members raised two major concerns — the burial of deceased persons without post-mortem examinations and the sale of firearms and ammunition in the area. Commander Moore addressed both issues, providing clarity on legal protocols and enforcement measures.

The outreach team also visited the Dr. Desiree Fox Secondary School in Waramadong, where they held an interactive session with students on topics such as teenage pregnancy and its social implications, sexual offences and victims’ rights, cybercrime, and trafficking in persons (TIP).

The initiative forms part of the DPP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public trust in the justice system, promote legal literacy, and ensure that citizens — especially those in hinterland and remote communities — are informed about their rights and the support available to them through law enforcement and judicial mechanisms.