abinet backs open sex offenders register, bill to be sent to Special Select Committee

President Dr Irfaan Ali has instructed that the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026 be sent to a Special Select Committee and said he supports making the proposed sex offenders register public, aligning with Cabinet’s position.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo also said he strongly supports an open register.
Human Services and Social Security Minister Vindhya Persaud said the bill, which introduces a sex offenders register for the first time, should undergo further scrutiny at committee stage.

She said both the President and Cabinet favour an open register, although the draft legislation currently provides for a closed system.

Persaud said the bill was shaped by extensive public consultations, which “overwhelmingly” supported a closed register, and that the committee process would allow further review and input.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, in a release on Tuesday, defended the closed model, warning that fully public sex offender databases can fuel vigilantism, encourage offenders to go into hiding, and cause lasting harm to innocent family members, particularly children.

It said international experience suggests open registries can lead to retaliation, discrimination and social stigma against relatives of offenders, including bullying and ostracism of children.

According to the Ministry, more than 60 civil society organisations, along with members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, prosecutors, police and faith-based groups, took part in consultations.

It added that the draft bill was also made publicly available on the Ministry of Legal Affairs’ website for two years for review and feedback.