Last February, Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region 9, Carl Parker was slapped with charges of sexual assault for having allegedly molested Lethem’s Deputy Mayor. Parker is reported to have hired the legal services of Jerome Khan to represent him in Court and the victim has indicated that at each hearing, attempts to slut-shame her were made in presence of the prosecutor. It must be noted that both Parker and the victim are members of the Peoples National Congress, the party which dominates the Coalition Government, and that efforts were made by the party to hush the matter.
When the victim refused to remain silent, she was eventually summoned to Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally’s office. According to the victim, Ally invited a leader of the Red Thread organisation to the meeting, without serving the victim prior notice. Interestingly, Ally proceeded to meet with the member of Red Thread behind closed doors – a meeting to which the victim was not privy. It was only after this that she received the victim separately in her office and dismissed the matter, without providing guidance or assistance as should a Minister of Social Protection.
The victim returned to Lethem where the case is being tried. However, the Lethem Court has ordered that the victim procure the services of a lawyer to represent her for the upcoming September 6th hearing, without which the case will have to be dropped. The victim doesn’t have the resources to fund her defense, and calls for legal assistance on her behalf were unsuccessful.
This was not the first time Parker is being accused of sexual impropriety and harassment. A District Education Officer (DEO) in the Rupununi in 2015, publicly denounced him for having sexually bullied her at the workplace. Other women were intimidated into silence for fear of losing their jobs in the region. The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) had also alerted Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, on the tyrannical comportment of the REO which extends beyond what appears to be a pathological tendency for sexual impropriety towards the women in his professional environment, to political and ethnic discrimination. This would explain why in 2016, over 1200 Amerindians petitioned President Granger to have Parker removed (sexual harassment figured among the 14 accusations levelled against Parker). President Granger delegated the responsibility to investigate the petition to Minister Bulkan. However, Bulkan doesn’t just refuse to meet with the civil representatives of petitioners, but has done little to bring clarity to the situation.
This is no trivial matter to be taken lightly. Parker must be judged and condemned if found guilty before the Law, and this will set precedence for all politicians who use their power abusively. Sadly, we are confronted with a typical case in which a financially impaired victim is overshadowed by politics, wealth and a patriarchal party within a patriarchal society.
Meanwhile, Parker continues to brag about his impunity as he enjoys the perks of a GY 0 000 salary despite his “suspension” from office since February, as well as housing accommodation in Lethem, funded by tax-payers. He currently occupies a building which was intended for the purpose of lodging nurses who work in the region. Calls by the RDC to have him relocated fell on Bulkan’s deaf ears.
It is hoped that those who have the power to act, would not refrain from helping to bring justice to the victims and all those in Region 9 who have been prejudiced by Parker and the system.
