Ten members of Red Thread Women’s Centre yesterday morning staged a protest in front of the Guyana Police Force Headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown.
They were demanding again that the 16-year-old who filed a complaint of rape against Minster of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, be allowed to have independent legal representation.
Laura George, who commented on behalf of the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA), stated that it is important for the Indigenous people and leaders to pay attention to what is happening. Some time ago Indigenous leaders highlighted that the system existing for the protection of their children and access to justice implemented by the state has not been working. According to her the ongoing case of the 16 year-old victim might be swept under the carpet since there is no clear process that ensures that it is being investigated properly.
George added that there are reports that the child is being held at a holding facility and she is requesting that the child have access to her parents and independent legal counsel. She called on the Indigenous people to be proactive and vocal so that justice can be served.
Women’s rights activist and Red Thread member, Danuta Radzik, told Stabroek News that the standard operating procedures for handling a rape case have not been followed. Radzik added that there are reports of compensation being paid which would be illegal under the Sexual Offences Act. Further, compensation can be paid to the victim but not as ‘hush money’, she said. According to her too often in Guyana, where cases focus on people of power and influence, justice tends not to be served. The activist requested that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) make available to the complainant, court support from Red Thread. It is the complainant’s right to have access to an independent lawyer, however since a statement was already taken it might be too late for the matter to take that course of action, Radzik explained.
Radzik noted that according to an article published in Stabroek News on Friday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo referred to the allegation against Dharamlall as misconduct. As such she strongly condemned the statement and clarified that it is an allegation of rape and sexual assault. She added that Dharamlall must not be given special treatment.
