Latest update January 13th, 2025 3:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Missing court files of nine rape victims is a criminal offence

Jan 26, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
The disappearance of the medical reports and birth certificates, of the 9 boys allegedly raped by Muslim scholar Neezam Ali, from the court files warrants an immediate and thorough investigation, including enquiry as to all who had access to the files and thus the opportunity to remove evidence. No one must be exempt from the investigation. The fact that this sexual offence case has languished in the court system for so many years, in effect denying these 9 young child survivors of sexual assault their right to a fair trial within a reasonable time, is a violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Guyana has signed and ratified. The Sexual Offences Act paper committals provisions have been under appeal for a number of years since former (now retired) acting Chief Justice Ian Chang twice ruled in favour of the accused in two sexual offence cases and found that the provisions violate the constitutional right of those charged with sexual offences to confront their accusers.
One of these accused is this same Muslim scholar Neezam Ali. It is well known that rape and other sexual offences leave survivors physically and psychological traumatized, many never fully recovering from the brutality and horror of what has been perpetrated against them. The fact that these 9 child survivors now stand to be denied their right to justice is in itself criminal and points to corruption in the court system and exposes Guyana as a country where access to justice and justice itself can apparently be perverted by money, power, access and influence.
We will not stand by and allow the rights of Guyanese children to be trampled on by the executive, legislative or judicial branches of the state. We stand in solidarity with these 9 boys and all other child survivors of sexual offences who continue to be denied justice and the right to a life free from violence. We call on the UN agencies in Guyana, and in particular UNICEF and all rights organizations to speak out publicly against the violation of the rights of child victims of sexual violence and to do all in their power to ensure that such rights are effectively protected.
Danuta Radzik – Help & Shelter
Karen de Souza – Red Thread
Patricia Sherattan-Bisnauth – Guyana Responsible Parenthood Assn.
Andaiye
Vidyaratha Kissoon

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Jan 13, 2025

Kaieteur Sports – The prestigious Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) situated at Bush Lot Farm Corentyne Berbice has released its racing dates for the year 2025. The club which is one of the...
Read More
Region Six Education Department Renews Golf Initiative with Guyana Golf Association

Region Six Education Department Renews Golf...

Jan 13, 2025

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional C/ships with fifties

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional...

Jan 12, 2025

Spectators experience and playing standards high on the agenda says Minister Ramson

Spectators experience and playing standards high...

Jan 12, 2025

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open Officially Declared Open

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open...

Jan 12, 2025

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge recovered

Body of Chinese national who fell from new...

Jan 11, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]