Without calling his name, the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) today expressed shock at the utterances by Attorney General Anil Nandlall in an October conversation with a KN reporter and called for “all necessary sanctions to be taken” against him.
The call is seen as significant, as the WGEC is a constitutional commission entrusted with assuring the protection of women’s rights. It is also headed by a former PPP/C minister and longstanding party official, Indra Chandarpal.
Nandlall in the leaked conversation repeatedly sought information on a female KN reporter who he said, in very crude and obscene terms, his uncle wanted to have a relationship with. Other groups in civil society have also expressed alarm at Nandlall’s statements and called for him to resign. However, the Ramotar administration has continued to defend Nandlall.
The full statement follows:
Regarding the AG’s Recent Comments
The Women and Gender Equality Commission are shocked and dismayed by the utterances made recently by the person who currently holds the position of Attorney General of Guyana. His utterances clearly demonstrated a marked lack of respect for women.
Two issues are brought to the fore, one is the conduct of public officials and the other is the culture of men as it relates to women in Guyana. The official in this case is particularly worrisome because he has particular responsibility for upholding the Constitution of Guyana which includes the rights and obligations under the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as well as the mandates of this Commission under Article 86. We therefore endorse the call for all necessary sanctions to be taken.
