I believe the minister should be relieved of his post permanently

Jun 20, 2023 Letters

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Dear Editor,

All of Guyana, as of now are aware of the very serious allegations of sexual exploitation and the abuse of a child by a government minister.

I read the contents of a letter that was allegedly written by the said child, the victim of a gruesome violation of her innocence and childhood. I cringed with emotions of anger for what was done to her. She was taken advantage of and was violated by a man in a position of power and influence to serve people.

It took her enormous courage, willpower, and great strength to pen those words. Anyone who read those words could see a victim crying out for justice, a victim crying out for help. I put it to those in authority that this child needs immediate help and protection, protection even from herself if you are able to read between the lines. The President, who is, as of now, the symbolic father of this nation, has a duty to protect our people and, moreover, our children. Mr. President, your leadership is being called upon to not send the minister on administrative leave, but for you to fire him.  Those undesirable traits have been seen before, and it is not good for our women, for our children, for the government, and it is not good for Guyana.

Editor, what I find equally amazing is the silence of the Minister with Responsibility for the Ministry of Culture “Youth” and Sports, in light of the very serious allegations of sexual exploitation of a youth by his colleague government minister, is equally concerning. I was a bit optimistic that given the seriousness of these circumstances, he would have shown some leadership in this regard. But he failed to do so again. I recognise those who have spoken given the seriousness this issue rightfully deserves by lending their voice. But where is the voice of the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, the government as a whole, and civil society expressing their outrage?

The youth represents the essential building blocks of a nation’s future, embodying its hopes, aspirations, and potential. As the torchbearers of tomorrow, it is imperative that they are nurtured, protected, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. The alarming prevalence of sexual exploitation and abuse targeting our women and young individuals demands urgent attention. To secure a safe and prosperous future, the government must play a leading role in safeguarding the country’s youth from these heinous crimes. The protection of the innocent, the preservation of human rights, and the maintenance of a just society are among the fundamental responsibilities of any government.

When an employee of the state or moreover a minister of government is accused of rape, it is crucial for the president to allow that minister to recuse oneself from the ministry, step down to preserve the image of the government and the country for several reasons.

We all accept that in most legal systems, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The execution of a professional investigation will determine innocence or guilt. But given the nature and seriousness of the allegations, the accused minister should be directed to step down to allow for those investigations to be conducted to its conclusions. By doing so, the government will demonstrate its commitment to this fundamental principle, which is central to the concept of a just society. That the rule of law, which asserts that all individuals, regardless of their social or political status, should be held equally accountable for their actions.

Any attempt to influence the outcome of an investigation or it appears that efforts are being made to so do and also to shield the minister accused of this heinous crime against a child, will blatantly violate this basic principle, undermining the foundations of justice and undermining public trust in the legal system and its governance. Justice must be blind, impartial, and free from any external influences to maintain the integrity of the rule of law. A government’s effectiveness is closely tied to public trust and confidence. If a minister accused of a heinous crime, such as rape and sodomy of a child, continues to hold a position of power and influence, it will erode public trust in the government’s ability to make fair and ethical decisions.

Allowing the accused minister to step down shows that the government takes the allegation seriously and respects the concerns of the public. The world’s eye is now on Guyana. Everyone is looking in our pot and spying in our backyard. The country is now on the global stage, and therefore, the government’s actions will be judged and how it handles this very serious matter of a government minister accused of rape and sodomy of a child has implications beyond national borders. The international community closely observes the commitment of governments toward human rights, the rule of law, and the protection of vulnerable individuals. Failure to take appropriate action against such an accused minister not only harms its own international reputation but also undermines global efforts to combat sexual crimes and promote accountability.

The government must strive to uphold their commitments to international human rights treaties and conventions, Guyana is part of. The positions articulated by the leader of the opposition calling the minister to be removed from office, for a professional investigation and for care and protection of the child be given are beyond reasonable for the entire society and moreover the government to accept.

Any perceived protection of the government minister accused of rape and the sodomization of a child undermines justice, accountability, and the rights of the victims. The government must prioritize the principles of the rule of law, safeguard the welfare of citizens, prevent the abuse of power, and preserve their international reputation. By holding the accused minister accountable for his actions, the government will begin to foster a culture of accountability and contribute to the establishment of a just society where no one is above the law.

While it is important to note that the accused individual has the right to defend themselves in a court of law, allowing the minister to step down during the legal proceedings helps ensure fairness, maintain public trust, and protect the reputation of the government and country. With respect to all of the aforementioned, I believe the minister should be relieved of his post permanently. Our women and children must be respected and be in a society that is safe from any form of abuse.

Yours respectfully,

Hon. Jermaine Figueira. MP

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• Hon. Jermaine Figueira, MP, permanently, sexual, victim

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