President Donald Ramotar has denounced the conduct of Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran, following his widely-publicised verbal abuse of rights activist Sherlina Nageer, but has given no indication that he would act on growing calls for his dismissal, while the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday accused the “opposition media” of blowing the matter out of proportion.
“The statements and behaviour of the Minister do not reflect the high-standards I have set for Ministerial conduct nor the public’s expectations of an office holder. It is outright disrespectful and improper. I intend to have further discussions with the Minister on this matter,” Ramotar was quoted as saying in a terse statement released by the Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA), which said the president “strongly reprimanded” the minister.
However, the statement did not indicate how Ramsaran was reprimanded and did not address widespread calls for his dismissal. Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ramesh Persaud yesterday suggested that Ramsaran was provoked but also noted that his conduct nonetheless warrants sanctions.
Nageer, in response to the statement on Ramotar’s action, maintained the call for Ramsaran’s dismissal, while saying nothing else would be acceptable. Supporters yesterday gathered in front of the Health Ministry once more to protest Ramsaran and called for his dismissal.
During an encounter outside the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Ramsaran was recorded saying he would slap Nageer for the fun of it and have her stripped in a public place. He could also be heard calling her a “piece of shit” and an “idiot” and demanding that she get out of his face. She had confronted him about the deaths of women and children in the health care system under his watch.
He subsequently apologised in a statement that also sought to blame Nageer for provoking him. But less than a day after, he was recorded telling Regional Health Officers (RHOs) that she was a “miscreant” and in need of “psychiatric help.” According to a recording of the meeting with RHOs on Wednesday, Ramsaran lamented that Nageer could “spit in my face but not collect two slap.” At no time during the confrontation between the two did Nageer spit in the minister’s face.
Meanwhile, breaking its silence, the PPP yesterday noted the tremendous amount of media attention given to the case and declared that it is “an unfortunate incident” that has been “clearly blown out of proportion by the opposition media especially at this election season when issues perceived to hurt the PPP and the PPP/C administration [are] being milked by opposition elements in order to provide political capital to those opposed to the ruling PPP/C.”
In a two-page statement, the PPP highlighted its “proud record” of defending women’s rights, while saying Ramsaran’s response to Nageer could not be condoned.
“…the response by Minister Ramsaran to what he thought to be an act of provocation appeared unwarranted and cannot be condoned. He said things that ought not to be said by anyone particularly… a senior official of government,” it said.
“Minister Ramsaran has no doubt recognised his indiscretion and has offered an apology. He has clearly said things that he ought not to have said to anyone in particular a woman,” it added.
The statement did not address Ramsaran’s insults to Nageer that were made at a function less than a day after he offered the apology for his actions.
The party also said that in light of the current political context, it is obvious that the political opposition will take advantage of the “unfortunate situation” to score political points.
“Indeed, the strident position taken by the opposition media is already noticeable, in particular the Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News both of which have gone overboard in their attacks against the PPP,” it charged. The PPP also accused “those who claim to represent the concerns of women” of employing a double standard. It argued that the opposition’s verbal abuse and humiliation of late former President Janet Jagan during and after the 1997 polls was met with “deafening silence by the opposition media and other so-called human rights activists,” despite her historic election.
‘Totally inexcusable’
PSC Chairman Persaud yesterday told a news conference that it was the organisation’s belief that the actions of the minister may have been provoked but added that it was no justification for his actions.
“We also believe strongly that provocations of that nature and persons in the high office of ministers and certain behaviour of that nature is not acceptable, it’s somewhat irresponsible,” he said, while adding that the PSC was looking for the president to take the “right actions necessary with regards to the sanctions” of Ramsaran.
Asked whether the PSC expected a resignation, Kit Nascimento, who chaired the news conference, said it could. “I think the position of the Private Sector is that the president should act as the situation requires, especially as it is an inexcusable behaviour, totally inexcusable behaviour, coming from a minister of government; it matters not what the provocation,” he said.
‘Disappointed’
The PPP’s women’s arm, the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), also registered its disappointment at Ramsaran’s statements yesterday, while also suggesting that Nageer deliberately provoked him.
According to a WPO statement, Ramsaran is a hardworking individual who was schooled in a political environment to respect women’s equality. It added that he is also known for his support for women’s empowerment and has always been prepared to provide assistance to women.
“WPO is therefore dismayed that he allowed himself to react to provocation without giving considerations to his manner of speech; his reaction was unacceptable,” it said, while adding that he should have recognised that there are people who would stop at nothing to make others lose their cool in the performance of their duties and as a result he should have acted with restraint at all times.
The WPO also noted that it fought for women’s rights and empowerment in Guyana, but is mindful that rights come with responsibilities. “No one is forced to answer a question except in the court of law and one can always choose to ignore provocation and remain silent or be non-committal,” it added.
The WPO is headed by Indra Chandarpal, who is also the Chairperson of the constitutional Women and Gender Equality Commis-sion. Members of the commission have shown support to Nageer and Commissioner Nicole Cole, who was among the protestors in front of the Health Ministry, yesterday called for the Commission to issue a statement on the case.
The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) also joined yesterday in condemning Ramsaran’s behaviour “against an Indo- Guyanese female,” while calling it dishonourable, unwarranted, and not befitting anyone especially in his current portfolio and Member of the National Assembly.
Reading from a prepared statement, IAC Secretary Yvette Ramharack yesterday acknowledged Ramsaran’s efforts in the health sector. She said too that the IAC recognises that he has been campaigning vigorously and the possibility that these strenuous efforts have taken a toll on him and could have resulted in his inexcusable behaviour. “However, the IAC cannot and will not condone such egregious behaviour especially by one who is elected to serve the people of Guyana,” she added.
