Allegations against Minister Dharamlall must not be ignored

Jul 06, 2023 Letters

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Dear Editor,

The allegations of rape and sodomy of a child, a minority, a young indigenous girl by Nigel Dharamhall, a cabinet minister of the government of Guyana, have shocked the nation and sparked outrage among many and rightfully so.

It is a heinous crime that deserves swift and just punishment, and the fact that the allegations have been committed by a person in a position of power, influence, and authority only makes it all the more egregious.

What is among the many episodes of disappointments is the manner in how the police and its representatives have acted throughout this investigative process, the denial of the child’s constitutional right for legal counsel and the questionable decision of the office of the DPP that is inconsistent with allegations of a similar nature is cause for concern and worry.

Additionally, what is equally disappointing is the silence and inaction of many mothers, grandmothers, aunties, sisters, and women altogether. What is equally disappointing is the silence and inaction of our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and men altogether. Why are they not all out in the streets lending their voice to demand justice and protection for our girls, boys, for our children? What is disappointing is the absence of our religious leaders in the frontline giving leadership. Where are those men and women of the cloth who whole the balance of morality in the society, lending their voice to demand justice? Are you hiding behind the notion of “separation of church and state”? Where is civil society, the business community, NGOs, and the independents on this very serious matter? Where is your solidarity for this child who was and is being victimized even more by powerful political and business interests?

Editor, as the statement suggests, justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are equally outraged as those who are directly impacted. In this case, it is imperative that the wider community and the government officials themselves show their outrage, take action, and demand accountability.

The first step towards justice is for the government of Guyana to take definitive action against Dharamhall. Stop the window dressing of acting. You are not. Such a high-profile case demands a transparent and thorough investigation, not only to determine the veracity of the allegations but to ensure that such crimes are not allowed to be swept under the rug. We are seeing what is being done, and it is not good for our people and country. A forced refusal not to proceed is not the end of the process. The government and, more specifically, the people must demonstrate a firm commitment to hold him accountable, regardless of his political affiliation, his hidden political secrets for the political powers or party status.

Furthermore, I call on the people of Guyana, all Guyanese home and in the diaspora, to lend their voices louder in demanding justice.  The silence of the public and the lack of willingness to take action against corrupt officials have allowed such instances of abuse to go unchecked for far too long. It is only through collective outrage and demand for justice that change can be brought about.

Doing what is right should come naturally, but we live in the real world, and in this world, you have to fight for what is right and just.  For those who have not yet sounded your voice or acted in support, just for a second sum up the courage to imagine your only daughter, sister, niece, who is under-aged, innocent, a Virgin, groomed by a man entrusted by you to serve all people with dignity and love, force himself and violently, beastly snatched away the innocence of that child by rape and sodomy. Leaving her with an indelible scare and stain, that child will have to unwilling carry for the rest of her life.

Do you believe she deserves your voice? Do you believe such a child deserves your action to demand justice for her?

If you believe that child is deserving of a portion of your 24 hours a day to speak out for her, to protest for her in whatever way, then do it for her?

Lastly, the diplomatic/ international community must also hold Guyana to account. The allegations against Dharamhall have drawn attention to the prevalence of sexual abuse and corruption in the country as in others, including your very own. It is crucial that the international community, government bodies, and non-governmental organizations add their voices and take action to push the government to do the right thing and bring accused or the accuser to justice. Nigel Dharamhall’s allegations of rape and sodomy of a child is an egregious crime that cannot and should not be ignored. Again, I repeat Justice will not be served until the wider community and government officials are outraged and take action to demand accountability. It is the responsibility of all to condemn such heinous acts, support the victims, and ensure that perpetrators and predators are held accountable, irrespective of their status in society.

Yours respectfully,

Hon. Jermaine Figueira, MP

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• allegations, Hon. Jermaine Figueira, Minister, MP, Nigel Dharamhall

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