Toshaos say rape allegations against Dharamlall strike at the heart of trust within government

Jun 21, 2023 News

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…demand impartial probe

Kaieteur News – The National Toshaos Council (NTC) is demanding an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged rape and sodomy of a 16-year-old indigenous girl by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.

The NTC is the body that represents the interests and concerns of indigenous communities across the country. The NTC’s statement came shortly after Minister Dharamlall was arrested on Monday evening at the Brickdam Police Station after he was told of the allegations leveled against him. The body noted that as the legitimate representative body of indigenous peoples, it recognises the importance of upholding justice, safeguarding the rights of victims, and ensuring accountability among public officials.

“It is our solemn duty to advocate for the well-being and protection of our indigenous brothers and sisters, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized members of our communities,” it was stated. They continued: “The gravity of the allegations cannot be understated, as they strike at the heart of trust and integrity within the government and compromise the safety and well-being of our indigenous youth. It is crucial that these allegations be treated with the utmost seriousness and urgency, as they demand a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the truth and deliver justice.”

The NTC in their statement appealed to the relevant authorities, including law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, to establish an independent and impartial investigative body that operates with the highest standards of transparency, objectivity, and professionalism.  The body even called for the involvement of experts experienced in handling cases of sexual violence and ensuring the rights and well-being of victims.

The Council said it remains committed to its mission of safeguarding the rights, culture, and well-being of indigenous peoples. “We will continue to advocate for justice, equity, and inclusivity for all, striving towards a society free from violence and discrimination,” the NTC said. Importantly, the body in its statement urged all parties involved to respect the principles of due process and uphold the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Adding to this, the body emphasise the need for a fair and expeditious legal process that protects the rights and dignity of the victim, ensures the accused faces appropriate consequences if found guilty, and reassures the public that justice has been served.

Further, the Council said it is committed to supporting and standing in solidarity with the victim, her family, and all those affected by this deeply troubling situation. “We implore the government, civil society organisations, and international partners to collaborate in providing the necessary support services, including legal aid, counseling, and healthcare, to victims of sexual violence,” it was stated. The NTC noted that the incident highlights the urgent need for comprehensive and sustained efforts to address gender-based violence and protect the rights of indigenous girls and women in Guyana. The Council called upon the government to prioritize the implementation of robust policies, awareness campaigns, and educational initiatives that promote gender equality, combat violence against women, and empower indigenous communities.

Additionally, the Wapichan Wiizi Women’s Movement issued a statement calling on the government and relevant agencies to place special attention on the violation of Indigenous women’s rights, as well as the failures to effectively implement and uphold measures aimed at protecting the wellbeing of indigenous women and girls. The women’s group said, “Indigenous women face monumental structural, systemic, social, and cultural barriers and harm within our communities and country.”

They highlighted that these challenges have all contributed towards silence on these issues despite the relentless negative impact. It was added that given the unique cultural bonds as Indigenous women, the discrimination they suffer also constitutes a serious, collective trauma which impacts the entire communities and other indigenous people.

“We applaud the young girl for coming forward, and understand how difficult a time this must be. We stand in full support of her, and we ask the wider Guyanese population to respect the privacy of the survivor. This case needs to be handled in accordance with the right procedures as mandated by the Sexual Offenses Act, and no stone left unturned in the pursuit of justice,” the women’s group said.

They noted that those in power should not be given a free pass to act with impunity, adding that accountability is necessary to heal from the trauma such acts can cause on the individual and collective psyches of our people. “For all Guyanese, there is critical work required to build a society which is safe for indigenous women and girls. We eagerly await the outcome of this case and pray that justice prevails,” they noted.

On Monday evening, Minister Dharamlall turned up at the Brickdam Police Station, in the company of his lawyer, Nigel Hughes. The minister was told of the rape allegation, cautioned and arrested. He was subsequently released on $1M station bail.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the allegations made against the minister. Notably, this publication was reliably informed that an official report was made to the police by the teen girl in the company of an officer from the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA).

In a statement on Monday, the minister’s lawyers said, “Mr. Dharamlall remains willing and disposed to assist in a full investigation of the matter. All the allegations are denied. In the interest of a fair investigation and the necessity to protect the interests of all parties concerned, we urge that speculation, wild accusations, pre mature judgments and unsupported conclusions be avoided.” It was stated too that the “misconduct allegations” against their client first surfaced on social media. However, they added that given that the allegations have attracted the attention of the Police Force and the Child Care and Protection Agency, their services were retained to represent the minister and protect his interests.

This publication had reported that in a letter to President Ali, the teen girl shared gruesome details about how she was allegedly groomed and later raped by the minister. In her letter, she pleaded with President Ali, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and relevant authorities to look into the matter. According to the letter seen by this publication, the girl first met the minister at an event last year, when she was 15-years-old. She said she was raped three months after meeting the minister and at that time, she was 16-years-old. She disclosed in the letter that after continuously harassing her to meet up with him, she eventually agreed to meet the minister. The teen said this is when the minister allegedly raped  and sodomised her before handing her a sum of money.

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• allegations, Dharamlall, Government, National Toshaos’ Council (NTC), Trust

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