Probe into rape allegations against Dharamlall was a sham

Jul 06, 2023 News

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…Indigenous body disappointed with outcome; questions silence of Amerindian Affairs Minister

Kaieteur News – The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) in a statement on Wednesday, contended that the investigation into the allege rape and sodomy of a 16-year-old Indigenous girl by Nigel Dharamlall, former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, was to save face instead of justice.

The body noted that the investigation into the rape allegation has cemented the fact that Indigenous people are not equal in the eyes of Guyana’s justice system. As such, it was stated that it is convinced that the outcome of the investigation was never for the delivery of justice.

The APA comments come on the heels of the announcement by President Irfaan Ali that Dharamlall has resigned from his post as Local Government Minister and Member of Parliament, following the statement by the police that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali Hack, SC in her legal advice stated that with the child withdrawing her complaint, “there is no legal provision for the Police to proceed with the matter”.

“President Ali’s statement following the announcement of no charges against Dharamlall is a slap in the face of all Guyanese. It sends the message that the system works for some and against the masses when they are poor and disadvantaged. The President said that they have allowed the system to work and never intervened but how can a system, inherently stacked against the poor and powerless, work in their favour?” the body questioned.

The APA quoted President Ali saying, “Nigel Dharamlall has committed to me that he will continue to support and be a member of the People’s Progressive Party and also be supportive of the government,” noting that the fact that the President could say that shows that the Government is more concerned about the disgraced minister’s loyalty than ensuring justice for the alleged victim.

It was stated too that the president’s statement shows that party paramountcy trumps their obligation to protect Guyana’s children as the sitting administration.

PRESIDENT ALI’s INACTION

“The mere fact that President Irfaan Ali failed to take concrete action against Dharamlall when the allegations surfaced speaks volumes about the government’s blatant disregard for the gravity of the accusation levelled against his Minister,” the body said.

The APA highlighted that President Ali should explain why he did not order Dharamlall to proceed on leave when the allegations surfaced – instead of waiting for the then minister to request to proceed on administrative leave. Also, the body questioned why President Ali did not remove Dharamlall from his post, instead of waiting for him to resign.

MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS

The APA called on Guyanese to advocate for an investigation surrounding the procedures adapted by the Police and other agencies involved in the probe of the allegations.

It was highlighted that the circumstances which the child giving a “no further action” statement, wishing to no longer proceed with the matter, remain mysterious as the Police’s version of events leaves more questions than answers.

The body noted that it has been consistent in its call for the protection of the child at the center of the investigation, but those calls has fallen on deaf ears. It was added, “What we have seen is the insurmountable pressure meted out to the child to break her spirit and frustrate her to the extent that she no longer wants to pursue the matter. Sadly, we have all watched that successfully play out, which led to the DPP recommending that no criminal charges should be brought against Dharamlall.”

NO WORD FROM PAULINE, INDGENIOUS REPRESENTATIVES

“The silence of the Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and the Indigenous Peoples Commission reinforces the belief that the protection of Indigenous peoples is not of importance to these two entities,” the APA underscored.

The body said that the protection of Indigenous women and girls remains “all talk but no action”.

“We see this investigation and the silence of our representatives as a step back in addressing the sexual assault and exploitation of not only indigenous women and children but also all Guyanese,” the APA added.

The body called on Minister Sukhai to advocate for her people and the protection of their rights.

Notably, the body highlighted that Indigenous peoples are not only valuable around election time, adding that it is time Indigenous people start demanding respect from those elected to serve and protect their rights.

Finally, the APA called for the implementation of better systems to protect our women and girls from being preyed upon.

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• allegations, Irfaan Ali, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, Nigel Dharamlall, President

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