Rain didn’t stop protest against rape accused Dharamlall

Not even the intermittent downpour could have stopped a determined group of Guyanese from protesting and calling on the authorities to jail former minister Nigel Dharamlall. A vibrant group, carrying placards bearing various messages, has been intensifying the call for Dharamlall to be charged.

Dharmalall is accused of sexually violating a minor female from the indigenous community, who was part of an indigenous pageant last year, and was sponsored by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development which he had ministerial responsibility for. The incident reportedly happened last December.

Said minister resigned on Tuesday, apparently after the Guyana Police Force announced the case against him for alleged rape has been dropped pursuant to the advice of Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack S.C, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The police in a statement, issued Tuesday, informed “the DPP disclosed that consideration was given to the fact that the complainant gave a further statement to investigators that she wishes to withdraw her complaint against Minister Dharamlall and that her decision was not influenced by anyone and that same was in her best interest.

Dropping the case has been met with widespread reaction from society.

Persons expressed the view that the system has failed the minor, some want Dharamlall to have his day and court and forthright said if he has nothing to hide you would appear before the bench for a trial.

Dharamlall’s lawyer, attorney Nigel Hughes and other government officials have called for the system to work. Many argued the system worked but not for the poor and vulnerable.

Alliance for Change Leader and Member of Parliament Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan said he was angry over the handling of the entire issue and lamented the decline in professionalism in the Guyana Police Force. Attorney-at-law Ramjattan, who was  Minister of Public Security (Home Affairs) in the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government,  said the entire affair has serious implications for good governance in Guyana.

Another former minister of government in APNU+AFC administration, Simona told Village Voice News, “this is a matter of national interest not just an allegation levelled against someone out there; it is a sitting minister of government holding responsibilities for a big ministry, who interfaced with young children (boys and girls) in the communities.”

Veteran trades unionist Lincoln Lewis is of the opinion the decision to drop the case was a sad day for the country. Taking to his facebook, Lewis wrote “Guyana mourns. The wheel of justice ground to a screeching halt today. Rape remains a crime. Inability to prosecute due to investigation compromised from start remains a sad day for justice & victims. That teen is no fool. Let’s continue to protect and love her. Justice must be served!”

Shadow attorney general and minister of legal affairs Roysdale Forde has advised the family of the minor to file private criminal and civil charges against Dharamlall.

The teen, in earlier posts that went viral, stated she was robbed of her innocence, and “in one hour on December 22, 2022, Nigel Dharamlall ruined my life forever and made me a sexual assault victim.”

Overseas based Guyanese, former member of parliament Lurlene Nestor, a major presence on the protest line said “we are not done yet. We will have to deal with the whole disrespect for the system.”

President Irfaan Ali had announced his acceptance of Dharamlall’s resignation as minister of government and member of parliament. In that resignation, shared with the public, Dharamlall mentioned he will continue his political work with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

The APNU+AFC Opposition fired back at Ali’s response, calling it “shameless, pathetic, callous, and unacceptable.” Going further, the Opposition noted Ali expressed no remorse or sympathy towards the unfortunate victim of his now ex-minister alleged sexual exploitation and abuse. “He expressed no empathy for the feelings of the masses of Guyanese who experienced, and continue to experience, shock and moral outrage over the injustice.”