Reacting to a ‘public statement’ dated 9th July 2023 purportedly written and signed by the minor, allegedly raped by former minister Nigel Dharamlall, that she “stand [s] firmly on [her] decision to withdraw the complaint against Minister Dharamlall…and say that it was a free and voluntary decision to withdraw [her] complaint…” senior counsel Roysdale Forde, who saw the statement, said it exposes some issues deserving of attention: –
“One, the same child who was forced to give a statement on 16th June to Superintendent Khemraj Shivbaran that the social media postings about being raped by the minister is not true, is now saying she stands firm in her decision to withdraw the complaint against Mr. Dharamlall, and we should address our minds to which statement is she speaking about.
“Two, the withdrawal statement, dated 9th July, sounds like desperation on the part of the government to cover-up an alleged heinous act by one of their own.
“Three, even if the child is withdrawing the complaint of rape, which she made to the Child Protection Agency, there is sufficient manoeuvring to give rise to suspicion of high interference from persons in high places and that this minor is under severe pressure.
“And four, the child in an earlier statement said her parents accepted $10 million to buy her silence, as reported by my colleague, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, who represented the family.”
Forde, who is shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, said the new statement is an exercise in corruption and efforts to circumvent the law. “It is the extent to which President Irfaan Ali’s government would go to undermine justice and silence the voice of the abused.”
It is unfortunate Mr. Dharamlall, a powerful man, can abuse the vulnerability of the poor to suppress justice. At the same time, the senior counsel expressed disgust with “how people’s conscience has become seared with a hot iron, that they would rather deceive or ignore than ensure justice for the vulnerable and victims in our society.” It is not good for our society, for our senses to become numb, where we refuse to differentiate between wrong and right under the laws and international conventions, he contended
Forde said the allegation of rape is serious enough to warrant the accused appearing in a court of law to defend or accept the charges. Reiterating the call for the family to proceed with private criminal and civil charges, the senior counsel chastised his colleague, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C.
Nandlall, as counsel for the government, given its manoeuvring and that of agents of the state, such as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Child Protection Agency and Guyana Police Force, cannot escape responsibility for the disrepute they have brought on the nation, he charged.
He reminded the Sexual Offenses Bill was brought to the National Assembly by the People’s Progressive Party and passed by representatives of the people to be “enacted not treated as a trophy.” Under this act a 16-year-old, the age of the minor, cannot consent to sexual activity.
Forde said the law, which was made to protect minors from predators who are now being hunted to ensure their silence, makes the law mute; sends an ominous message to victims everywhere; and emboldens the predators. “Our children are not safe under President Ali, the current leadership of the DPP, Child Protection Agency, and Police Force, and I say this with pain in my heart because adults have a duty to protect the children, teach them well, and let them lead the way. Instead, adults are letting down our children.”
Government does not care about Guyana’s First Peoples a disturbed Forde said. “We have seen this in the Mahdia Dormitory Fire that caused the death of 20 innocent children and injuries to several, leaving loved ones, a community and entire country still mourning and awaiting a credible Commission of Inquiry more than seven weeks after the tragedy.” The fire occurred on 21st May.
The teen is a member of the indigenous community and was sponsored by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development in an indigenous pageant, resulting in her encounter with the disgraced Dharamlall who headed the ministry. According to the social media messages she was sexually violated last December.
After weeks of calls and protest actions for Dharamlall to be fired or resign as minister and member of parliament last Tuesday he submitted his resignations to President Ali. Responding to this Forde told Village Voice News Ali should have fired Dharamlall but it is clearly evident the government is only interested in protecting their own when caught in infraction not the Amerindians.
Pivoting to the First Peoples, Forde said:
“I want to speak to the Amerindian community. Representatives from the government side, including the Minister of Amerindian Affairs and other female ministers of Government, have let you down in your time of utmost need. All the talk about the indigenous people is only talk because your rights are being eroded under this government. You are continuously being exploited by the PPP. Your women and children are mentally, physically, sexually, economically and socially abused by a party in government that is more comfortable doing their dirty deeds, after which they seek to buy your dignity, rather than accept your dignity is priceless, God given, and should be respected every day!”
To this end, Forde said the call for justice must not be silenced by a child who continues to be abused by the system and by unscrupulous adults to ensure her silence. “Where she cannot speak we must speak for her and other abused minors and let the predators in our midst know the long arm of the law would get them.” The protest for Dharamlall to be charged must continue, Forde asserted.
