This ruling puts a serious damper on the gains made by Women’s Rights organisations

Apr 09, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor
Permit me to publically welcome the convenient voice of Minister Priya Manickchand as she joins in the public call for the removal of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Henry Greene, since this said honourable Minister, while women’s rights were her direct remit, chose to remain silent when the sordid affair with Former President Jagdeo and former First Lady Varshini Singh became public.
However, I see her lone voice from among her cabinet colleagues as timely and refreshing in the present circumstances.
At the same time, I wish to state that the ruling by the learned Chief Justice demonstrates some precarious signs in our fragile society and sets a dangerous precedence.
First, the ruling by the Chief Justice clearly points to that dangerous line of classism where there is a distinction between the privileged and the underprivileged in our society and that there are some who are prepared to go beyond the call of duty to protect this status quo.
Secondly, it put a serious damper on the gains made by Women Rights organisations as it relates to the growing number of victims who are now mustering the courage, despite the obvious humiliation, to come forward when they feel violated, especially by powerful public figures.
Thirdly the ruling is somehow saying to future victims that there is no recourse within the justice system so you either accept your humiliation, bite in your pain and move on or take the law in to your own hands when you feel necessary.
This ruling is retrogressive and counterproductive if we are honestly seeking to nurture and develop a society where respect for human rights is paramount and citizen’s faith in the judicial system is at an all-time high.
Bevon Currie

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