The Women and Gender Equality Commission has expressed alarm over the Guyana Police Force’s failure to execute court orders to remand Government official Daniel Seeram following his conviction for assaulting his former spouse and causing actual bodily harm.
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 17, the Commission questioned why Seeram was not taken into custody after his conviction on October 5, despite a Magistrate’s order for him to be remanded pending sentencing on November 2.
The Commission described the handling of the matter as a troubling disregard for judicial process and called on the relevant authorities to explain their actions.
Seeram was convicted over an assault that occurred on September 11, 2023, according to the Commission. Following the conviction, he applied for bail, arguing, among other things, that being remanded would interfere with his work because he had weekly meetings with his supervisor.
The Magistrate rejected the application and issued a warrant for the police to transfer Seeram into the custody of the Guyana Prison Service. However, the Commission said the order was not executed.
Seeram subsequently approached the High Court through his attorney, challenging the Magistrate’s authority to remand him. According to the Commission’s statement, the High Court upheld the Magistrate’s ruling, yet the police again failed to place him in custody with urgency.
“The Women & Gender Equality Commission is astonished and distressed at the flagrant disregard for established Judicial process,” the statement said.
The Commission also raised concerns about the State’s representation during the judicial review proceedings, alleging that a Deputy Solicitor General from the Attorney General’s Chambers appeared in support of Seeram’s challenge to the Magistrate’s decision.
It argued that the Magistrate was not afforded an opportunity to respond to the challenge, adding that it was customary for the State to represent judicial officers in such matters.
The Commission’s account did not include responses from the Guyana Police Force, the Attorney General’s Chambers or Seeram regarding the allegations.
Commission warns of consequences for domestic violence victims
The Commission said the case threatens to undermine years of public education aimed at encouraging women and other victims of domestic violence to report abuse and seek justice through the courts.
It noted that, for more than 15 years, it has conducted outreach across Guyana to promote the message that intimate partner violence and other forms of family violence must not be tolerated and that alleged perpetrators should face the judicial process.
The Commission said the handling of Seeram’s case could weaken public confidence in those efforts, particularly when the person involved holds a senior government position or is perceived to have powerful connections.
“This case unfortunately, puts all of this into question and reinforces the view that justice is not for all,” the Commission stated.
It warned that the circumstances could reinforce the belief among victims that they cannot expect a fair outcome when an alleged perpetrator occupies a position of influence.
The Commission stressed that assaulting a spouse is a serious matter and argued that the enforcement of court orders is essential to maintaining confidence in the justice system.
Calls for explanation from authorities
The Commission said the failure to execute the orders raises questions about equality before the law and whether judicial decisions are being respected consistently.
It called on the relevant agencies to explain why the orders were not carried out and what steps were taken following the High Court’s decision.
“We therefore call upon the relevant agencies in this case, to explain the rationale of their actions given their mandate,” the statement said.
The matter raises broader questions about the relationship between the police, the courts and the prison service when a remand order has been issued. It also places renewed attention on the protection of domestic violence victims and the importance of ensuring that court decisions are implemented.
Seeram’s sentencing is scheduled for November 2, 2026, according to the Commission. The circumstances surrounding the failure to execute the remand orders, however, remain a matter requiring clarification from the relevant authorities.
The Commission’s statement did not indicate whether disciplinary or other action had been initiated over the police’s alleged failure to execute the orders.
