President Dr. Irfaan Ali says the country must seriously consider the death penalty as a response to heinous crimes, expressing the view that imprisonment alone may not send a sufficiently strong message.
Speaking after the discovery of six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran’s body in Berbice, Ali said the circumstances had weighed heavily on him and prompted him to seek a careful examination of stronger punishment.
Asked whether the death penalty was the measure he had in mind, the President answered: “One hundred percent.”
Ali described the incident as atrocious and said some offences struck at the core of humanity, requiring a response that made clear such behaviour had no place in society.
“The death penalty is something that we have to look at. If we want to really send a strong signal, I believe that, you know, we really need to look at this,” he said.
The President’s comments came after Orlando’s decomposed body was recovered early Tuesday from a canal near the sea dam at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice. He had been reported missing on October 14.
The child’s father, Bharrat Jaikarran, has been identified by police as the main suspect. The father reportedly confessed to killing Orlando. Region Five Commander, Senior Superintendent Lonsdale Whithrite, confirmed that information supplied by the father led investigators to the body.
While advocating consideration of tougher punishment, Ali acknowledged the human rights implications and emphasised that the judicial process must be allowed to function.
“We are, of course, very cognisant of the human rights issues and challenges,” he said. “We have always kept our development and our thoughts within the confines of human rights.”
He nevertheless maintained that certain crimes warranted a stronger response once the courts had done their work.
“Of course, the judicial system has to work. But when the judicial system works and we have crimes like these, we must be able to utilise a stronger measure if we are to send a stronger signal to society,” Ali said.
Asked whether he meant punishment beyond jail time, he responded: “Of course.”
Ali said his concerns extended to other crimes of a similarly grave nature. He also pointed to messages and public comments calling for stronger action, saying he personally shared the view that a firmer signal was needed.
