Criminals in masks now face tougher fines, longer jail-time as law amended – INews Guyana
The Criminal Law Miscellaneous Bill 2025 was unanimously passed in the National Assembly on Monday, amending the Criminal Law Offences Act.
The amended law adds a fine of upto $750,000 for the use of face masks in committing certain crimes. Those criminals also face the possibility of a three-year jail sentence, according to the amended law
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall contended that, “concealing one’s identity emboldens offenders while reducing the risks of being identified or apprehended.”
In this regard, he noted that the Bill seeks to enhance public safety and aid law enforcement in apprehending criminals.
The amendment applies to larceny, house break-in, riots, unlawful assembly, acts of terrorism, burglary, robbery and assault.
Nandlall clarified that the legislation does not prohibit persons from wearing face-coverings for other purposes.
“Generally, while facial coverings maybe lawfully justified in specific contexts such as in the interest of public health, as well as religious expressions or cultural traditions, their misuse for criminal purposes undermine public safety and security,” Nandlall said.
The Bill was supported by Opposition Members of Parliament but with calls for private security personnel to be prohibited from also wearing face coverings.
MP Amanza Walton Desir in her presentation highlighted that the wearing of ski-masks by security officers to avoid social recognition should be discontinued.
“This is not a partisan point. The country saw on the West Bank a particular firm rolling up to protestors with guns…and their face covered…I want to caution us in this House that we must at the earliest opportunity, review the legal framework for the operations of private security firms,” she pleaded.
This point was supported by Member of Parliament Khemraj Ramjattan who noted that while police officers are easily identified, private security officers are not always attired in their uniforms.
In response, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said “there may be reasons why they may want to masks themselves”.
“It is not the mere wearing of a mask…if you are intent of committing a crime, if you’re involved in terroristic activities [such as] blocking of the roads, beating people and so on and using a mask, that is simply what it means….this bill lays out the resorts in law for a response to this type of activity,” Benn explained.
The Attorney General further supported this explanation noting that the wearing of a mask is only criminal if it is used in the commission of a criminal activity.
“If one member of one of the private security firm commits one of those offences while wearing a mask, then the law kicks in,” he said.
The $7500 to $15,000 fine in Section 25 of the Criminal Law Offences Act has been changed to a $50,000 to $750,000 fine. Additionally, the amendment to the Summary Jurisdiction (Offenses) Act will see the jail sentences for this offence being increased from 18 months to three years.
