Seventeen people have received Warrants of Presidential Pardon following a presentation ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Justice. Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj, who chairs the Advisory Committee on the Power of Pardon, also known as the Mercy Committee, presented the warrants at the ministry’s Port-of-Spain headquarters on Tuesday. Maharaj thanked members of the committee and its secretariat for their work and acknowledged the backlog in processing applications. The Mercy Committee advises the President on applications for the exercise of the constitutional power of pardon, including whether a pardon or other form of clemency should be granted. The ministry said the distribution of the warrants reflected its commitment to rehabilitation, restorative justice and strengthening public confidence in the administration of justice.