Contenders for leadership of the PNCR at the upcoming congress, Amanza Walton-Desir and Roysdale Forde SC yesterday in separate statements said that Vanessa Kissoon’s allegations against the party’s current leader Aubrey Norton must be addressed with seriousness through a fair and transparent process.
On Wednesday PNCR member Kissoon said on her Facebook page that she had been threatened with rape some years ago while travelling in a vehicle with Norton.
Her allegation threatens to upturn arrangements for the party congress set for the end of the month where Norton is in contention for leadership.
Kissoon’s statement came after she was challenged earlier on Wednesday by Norton to clear the air in relation to allegations that were being made that he had sexually harassed her. Norton denied the claim. He said that he had never travelled alone with Kissoon.
However, on Wednesday afternoon, Kissoon in a written and video statement posted online said that she had been harassed by Norton.
Following this, Walton-Desir, who serves as the Opposition’s Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in her statement yesterday said that it was with “heavy heart that I have read the consecutive statements of Leader Aubrey Norton and Sister Vanessa Kissoon. While the statements speak for themselves it is necessary for me to speak out as a woman and as a leader in the party. The nature of the allegations cannot be ignored and we must address this matter with the seriousness it deserves.”
She added, that it is very important to note that Kissoon was asked by Norton to come forward and speak on this matter as she then condemned the attacks Kissoon had been facing on social media after doing such. She noted, “It is therefore deeply troubling to see Ms. Kissoon being mercilessly attacked on social media. These attacks are unacceptable and undermine the principles of unity, respect, and support that should define us.”
Desir urged, “We must stand against any form of victim-blaming or victim-shaming. Especially as women, we must lean into our better angels and our God- given ability to nurture rather than naysay, to comfort rather than condemn, so that even as we find ourselves in an hour of disagreement we can interrogate and not castigate.” She stressed that an environment must be fostered “where every voice is heard and respected.”
“It is vital that we ensure a fair process for both Ms. Kissoon and Mr. Norton. The truth will always set us free and I ask that others step back as I will, and allow matters to follow the necessary course of action that is appropriate under these circumstances.”
Benefit
Meanwhile, a statement from Forde said that the matter which was made public was most unfortunate, however, he added that whatever the reason, Norton must be seen as innocent until proven guilty and that Kissoon the “alleged victim” must have the benefit of telling her story without being harassed.
“We must judiciously proceed on this grave matter. As an officer of the court, I am obligated to respect the rights of everyone, including the victim and accused, and the course of natural justice. As a party we should not allow the prejudices of politics and power to affect our respect for the rule of law, efforts at cohesion within the party, our principles and/or core values as an alternative choice for government. Our behaviours must so reflect.”
The allegations made by Kissoon in response to Norton’s statement are worthy of investigation and should not be treated lightly, Forde said.
“The seriousness of our approach must result in a procedure that facilitates a fair and transparent investigation. For no reason must we in the PNCR allow the perception to bear that we are unmindful and insensitive to the devastations and pains which the allegations cause the victim, the accused, and importantly our beloved party, members and supporters.”
He then urged that “it is not too late for us to do what is right, not too late to say a kind word as we embrace the principles of social justice irrespective of who are involved, be they of the party or some other group. What matters most is the integrity with which we approach the laws that bind us to do right by each other. No one must be above being held accountable.”
Turning to the individual who first made the allegations by Kissoon public, Forde said, “Mr. (Egland) Gomes, who formerly supported Mr. Norton, is now apparently supporting my campaign, perhaps more than that of other rivals, it is his right to so do.”
He stressed, that he, Forde was “not responsible for Mr. Gomes’ tactics nor actions which by now the public is aware are driven by his well published daily recitals of disappointment in the Party’s leadership and what he perceives is growing destruction of the party, anti-democratic practices, ineptness in responding to the PPP’s excesses and poor governance.”
Norton has not commented since Kissoon’s statement.
Prior to Kissoon’s statement, he had said that at no time was he alone in a vehicle with Kissoon.
“All of these claims are false and malicious,” the party leader said while calling on the Kissoon and an associate named in the Facebook post to speak on the issue “since failure to do so may suggest they are complicit in this false and malicious post”.
He added: “May I also state that I see it as part of a political plot since I have out-nominated my contenders and [the name of the individual who made the post] is known to be campaigning for one of the persons contending in these elections. I repeat to all Guyanese, at no stage was I ever involved in sexually harassing anybody in this country or overseas”.
