PRESS RELEASE: Abhorrent outcome of the case of alleged sexual assault perpetuated on a young Amerindian Girl
The Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC) of the Guyana Public Service Union is appalled by the abhorrent outcome of the case of alleged sexual assault perpetuated on a young Amerindian Girl, who falls within the category of one of the vulnerable groups in our society. The infamous ‘no further action’ conclusion of the matter by the police, which was purportedly ratified by the Director of Public Prosecutions, cannot be the status quo. Many in our society are in disbelief at the grave miscarriage of justice, injudiciously denied to one of the most vulnerable groups in our society; that is, young women and the girl child after she was allegedly brutalized sexually in the most heinous fashion by a hierarchy of our society who was entrusted to serve a community (Local Government and Regional Development) as opposed to violating and abusing the trust of the members therein.
Vice President Jagdeo’s description of Nigel Dharamlall, the alleged child molester, as “a good Minister…and a great asset” in the electronic media of July 7, 2023, surely is distasteful and must be viewed as a disrespect to women and girls, especially the Complainant, who publicly disclosed the horrific nature of the alleged incident which moved the citizenry into support action.
The WAC holds the strong view that there were heavy political interference which led to the unconstitutional and disgraceful discontinuation of this matter. The WAC is of the view that the survivor sought justice and merely fought to prevent a reoccurrence of this alleged act to other women and girls. The WAC therefore, unreservedly supports the call by the Amerindian People’s Association for a thorough review of all investigative procedures employed in the handling of this matter. Any lapses in the system must incur a fresh investigation of the alleged criminal act of rape by an impartial and independent body. The WAC is of the strong view that this impartiality and independence is to be attained by the use of international experts in the view of sexual violence investigations.
Further, the WAC holds the view that the professional bodies i.e. the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Guyana Police Force and the Child Protection Agency failed to take necessary steps to protect the most vulnerable in our society and to deliver justice to the under-represented groups in the absence of fear, favor and subjugation and should be recused from any further participation and/or involvement in this matter. The call is hereby issued for this child to be insulated from the officers / decision makers who handled the case thus far. Further, the WAC expresses deep concern in relation to the silence of the Diplomatic Community on this matter.
This unfortunate case is a reminder that violence against women and girls is rooted in social inequalities and economic exploitation. It leaves one to ask, where can protection be found when our criminal justice system is on a continuum of imbalance, tipping towards unequal access, partial applications and methodologies aimed at protecting the apparent unethical and immoral untouchables and their collaborators.
To our brothers and sisters in the hinterland communities, the Guyana Public Service Union stands with you in solidarity, knowing the frustration currently being experienced. We must continue to support each other in the fight against injustice, and demand that the rule of law serves the complainant in this case, and prevent the arbitrary usage of power by those empowered under the law to deliver justice.
160 Regent & Shiv Chanderpaul Drive
Bourda, Georgetown
July 7, 2023.