New 2026 Character Bill Ensures Minor Fines Vanish after Only 2 Years

Citizens in Mauritius will see the social and professional stigma of minor criminal records significantly reduced under the proposed Certificate of Character Bill 2026, which dominated a second reading in the National Assembly this week.

The legislation aims to overhaul the rules governing character certificates, ensuring that judicial history does not permanently cripple an individual’s social or professional life.

Government Chief Whip Stéphanie Anquetil championed the bill, arguing that the document represents more than mere paperwork.

“Behind a character certificate, there is a life,” she stated, highlighting the struggles of parents and young people attempting to rebuild their futures.

Key Reforms and Timelines

The Bill introduces specific “clear limits” to the duration a conviction remains visible to potential employers.

Key proposed changes include:

• Minor Fines: Fines not exceeding Rs 50,000 will be removed from certificates after two years, a sharp reduction from the current five-year period.
• Prison Sentences: Custodial sentences of less than three years will cease to appear on the certificate after ten years.
• Juvenile Records: Offences committed by individuals under the age of 18 will no longer be recorded on the document.
• Employment Protection: Employers will be prohibited from using a criminal record as the sole justification for refusing a candidate if the offence bears no relevance to the specific job functions.

A Focus on Rehabilitation

Supporting the bill, Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs Rajen Narsinghen emphasised that while punishment is necessary, it must have an endpoint.

“It is imperative to rehabilitate,” he noted, while also calling for a new mechanism to compensate victims to be considered in the coming months to maintain a balance between the rights of the convicted and the general public interest.

Ms Anquetil criticised the current system, stating that many citizens continue to be “punished long after serving their sentence.”

She framed the bill as a humanitarian correction to a system that currently prevents fathers, mothers, and the youth from resuming their place in society.

Next Steps

The debate saw contributions from several Members of Parliament, including Ashley Ramdass, Sandeep Prayag, Chandaprakash Ramkalawon, Véronique Leu-Govind, Sydney Pierre, and Raj Penthiah.

Proceedings on the Certificate of Character Bill 2026 have been adjourned and are scheduled to resume on 5 May 2026.

Source: Defi Media