Minister’s ‘slap and strip threats’...“A decent president would have sacked him immediately”

Minister’s ‘slap and strip threats’…“A decent president would have sacked him immediately” – Legal Community

Apr 29, 2015 News

The recent verbal assault unleashed by Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, on Women’s Rights Activist,

Minister of Health,
Dr Bheri Ramsaran

Sharlina Nageer, has not only been described as abusive, insulting, threatening and obscene but a joint statement issued by a faction of the legal community, has outlined that “a decent Minister would have resigned by now.”
In fact the statement from the Guyana Bar Association, Guyana Association of Women Lawyers and the Justice Institute Guyana, lashed out at President Donald Ramotar, pointing out that “a decent President would have sacked him (Dr Ramsaran) immediately.”
Moreover, the group is calling upon the President to prove his decency by sacking Dr Ramsaran not only as a Minister but also as a member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). It was pointed out in the statement that “Dr Ramsaran’s threats to “strip” and “slap” a young woman would be disgusting conduct by any man. They are particularly reprehensible coming from a Member of Parliament and a Minister of Government.”
The legal group’s statement also went on to underscore that it is unacceptable for Dr Ramsaran to seek to excuse his behaviour by saying that he was “provoked.”
Dr Ramsaran was recorded last week Monday hurling threats and very abusive words at the activist who had confronted him on his purpose outside the Whim Magistrate’s Court.
He was at the time reportedly leading a team of protestors as a matter involving former President Bharrat Jagdeo was being called inside the court house.
Angered by the activist’s line of questions, Dr Ramsaran not only called her an “idiot” and “a little piece of s***” but even threatened to “slap her ass just for the fun…” and added that “I can have some of my women strip her here…”
After the recording of the exchange between the Health Minister and Nageer was widely circulated on social media, the Minister, the following day issued an apology by way of a statement which however, failed to clearly state that it was intended for the women’s right activist.
The Minister in his apology claimed that “it is unfortunate that I was provoked into anger and uttered harsh words at her for which I now regret.” He was subsequently recorded berating the woman at an official health forum.
Nageer has since officially filed a police complaint against the Minister.
According to the legal community’s statement, Section 141 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act prohibits threatening, abusive, insulting or obscene language, gestures or behaviour. Moreover, committing such acts constitutes a crime that carries a sentence of up to six months in jail.
As such the statement adds that “ President Ramotar’s failure to sack Dr Ramsaran sends a clear message to the people of Guyana that this Government believes it is above the law. That is a very dangerous message which undermines the rule of law.”
It was pointed out too, that the Health Minister’s intolerable conduct was a response to being asked about his record as a Minister. However, it was stressed in the statement that it is the right of every citizen to call a Minister to account for his actions. “Sovereignty belongs to the people. We exercise it through our representatives. Their accountability to us is the foundation of democracy. That is why our Constitution requires political parties to respect the principles of national sovereignty and of democracy.”
As such, it was noted that the lack of accountability to the citizen is not democracy but the tyranny of the executive. “It does not matter how awkward, ill-times or inconvenient the questions, public office carries with it the duty to respect every citizen,” added the statement.
According to the statement too, the Constitution as well as the international conventions which Guyana has proudly signed, guarantee political and civil rights. “But our freedom begins to wither when a citizen threatened and abused by a Minister and when a President does nothing. This time it was a young woman. Who is next?”
In emphasising that the Health Minister’s action has been reported across the globe, the legal group has asserted that the situation has become a national as well as an international embarrassment.
For this reason it was reiterated that “if President Ramotar will not sack Bheri Ramsaran for the sake of the voters of Guyana, he must do so for the sake of Guyana’s international standing.”