The Honourable Devesh Maharaj, Minister of Justice and Minister in the Office of the Attorney General, presided over the distribution of Warrants of Presidential Pardon to 17 recipients at the Ministry’s Head Office on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, acting in his capacity as Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Power of Pardon, commonly known as the Mercy Committee.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials of the Ministry, including Ms. Trudy Lewis, Permanent Secretary (Ag.); Ms. Ayanna Gaspard Clarke, Permanent Secretary (Ag.); and Ms. Fran Chaitoo-Jacob, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.).
In his remarks, Minister Maharaj thanked the Mercy Committee and its Secretariat for their dedicated work. He spoke candidly about the long process and backlog involved in processing pardon applications, emphasising the Ministry’s commitment to pushing applications forward and ensuring the efficient and timely administration of the constitutional function.
Commending the recipients for changing their lives, Minister Maharaj highlighted the significance of second chances, rehabilitation and restorative justice.
According to the Ministry, the distribution of the Warrants of Presidential Pardon underscores its dedication to advancing restorative justice, supporting rehabilitation, and strengthening public confidence in the administration of justice through effective institutional oversight and adherence to the rule of law.