Protestors yesterday braved the midday heat and called for an impartial investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct and for Government Minister and Member of Parliament, Nigel Dharamlall, to step down from his posts.
Dozens of protestors, including members of the Opposition assembled in front of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown where Dharamlall’s office is located. The protestors, many of whom were from the Opposition chanted, “Dharamlall must go!”; “Ali don’t turn your face!” as they held placards calling out female members of government for being silent on the issue.
In the wake of allegations that its minister had sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, the government has been criticized for its slothfulness in responding. It took three days after the allegations surfaced on social media for President Irfaan Ali to announce that Dharamlall will be proceeding on administrative leave. The President told Stabroek News on Sunday that, “Dharamlall ‘requested’ leave to facilitate any investigation into the allegation” and he agreed to the request. Ali did not state when the requested leave takes effect. Dharamlall has not made any public statement on the allegation but through his attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes, yesterday said he is prepared to “assist in a full investigation” of misconduct allegations.
Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, who was present at the protest yesterday, said that they are hopeful for a fair, unbiased and free investigation. “We are hoping for it to be free of any undue influence and that is extremely necessary here, that the investigation is impartial,” she said. She also pleaded with Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, to allow the investigation to be “free and fair.” Chandan-Edmond added they have every intention of holding the government, the Guyana Police Force and all responsible agencies accountable to ensure no stone is left unturned in the investigation.
A secondary objective of the demonstration was to stand in solidarity with the 16-year-old and other victims. “The information we are receiving is not just this single victim but more than one victim so we are here to stand in support of the victims…” Chandan-Edmond stressed. Alliance For Change leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, who also supported the protest, said this is one of the “most horrible incidents” this country has experienced. He said that the fact that there are reports of the Minister visiting the child’s home makes the situation worse. “…the Minister is in serious hot water here. He is in royal trouble. But I would like to see justice be done and I feel justice will be done,” Ramjattan said. Furthermore, Ramjattan expressed dissatisfaction over the police handling of the matter and said reports of the police visiting the victim to take a statement on supposed untruths instead of the allegation should be investigated by the Police Service Commission.
“You do not do that in the nature of the circumstances of a child and sexual offences. The whole tenure of the sexual offences act, as amended and put up by Priya Manickchand, when the child is young like this they are vulnerable. You simply cannot go and get a statement with a policeman… the policeman have to be in some hot water here too… you do not do that,” Ramjattan stated. He said these attempts reverse the gains made during the APNU+AFC term in government to change the image and professional attitude of the police force.
The Citizens Initiative (TCI) Member, Khaimwatie Seenarine and co-founder of NGO Eagles Empowered to Soar also supported the protest. “We are demanding justice because many times people in power have been getting off these crimes. We want to see justice is served,” she said. According to her, this matter must not be swept under the mat and a thorough investigation must be undertaken. In her opinion, she said Dharamlall should not have requested any leave but rather be sent on immediate administrative leave by the government.
“Immediate action should have been taken and not saying it is allegations. I can tell as a teacher, when a teacher is accused, the first action is to send [the teacher] on leave. So why now in the government these protocols are not the same?” she questioned.
Comedian Odessa Primus, who was vocal in the call for justice at the protest yesterday said the matter started off on a bad footing and it is now worrisome that justice may be at bay. “We start off really rough… I feel like the message that should be sent is that we will not tolerate rape. At this time it is an allegation and so I would expect we would treat [the allegation] as allegation and respect the victim with seriousness so other victims would not have to feel threatened or [be] worried about coming forward.” Primus stressed that regardless of political affiliation, class and social status, the Guyanese people must band together and say rape will not be tolerated.
“Our children should be safe and we should not have to worry about people who are in authority abusing that authority and that power. This should send a clear message to leaders political or otherwise this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated at all,” she disclosed. She went on to state that it is not the first instance of sexual misconduct the Minister has been accused of and immediate intervention should have occurred.
