Guyana has been agog at the allegations made since June 15 over social media that Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall had groomed and raped a minor Amerindian girl last year. In the post, the minor offered a detailed and articulate account of her allegations and claimed she sent it to President Irfaan Ali. The following day, when asked by the media the President related he had seen the missive on social media posts. He assured the nation that “it will be thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities”. And that he has “no tolerance for such behaviour and anyone found guilty of such allegations will be held accountable.” He later noted that he asked the Minister about the allegations which were denied. However, he noted he had “already told the Police any report must be thoroughly and comprehensively investigated.” The Minister asked the President for “administrative leave” to facilitate the Police and other investigations and this was granted.
Even before President Ali, Minister of Human Services and Social Protection, Dr Vindhya Persaud said, “The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has taken note of the serious allegations made against a Minister by a 16-year-old girl. Our women and girls must be safe and no one is above the law.”
She further stated that the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) was carrying out a full investigation and the child was in its custody. The Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand also weighed in: “I begin by believing complainants, always, every time. Because the statistics are clear. Despite the myths, victims of rape and sexual assault do not lie about their experiences any more than victims of any other crime.” She further said, “I immediately passed the information on to the Chief Education Officer with a request that he find the child and offer our full support to her.”
The Guyana Police Force promptly confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the allegations against Dharamlall. They, along with other stakeholders, were insistent that the 2010 the Sexual Offences Act was being complied with. They issued a statement: “…on Monday, the 19th day of June, 2023, Mr Dharamlall presented himself at the Brickdam Police Station in the company of his Attorney, where he was told of the allegation and subsequently arrested.” The Minister by then had secured the services of a law firm and was interrogated and placed on $1 million bail. His home was later searched in the presence of the minor. The Police have sent their file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and they are awaiting further instructions on how to proceed.
As soon as the post on social media surfaced, however, the Opposition became hyperactive as they sought to make political capital of the unfortunate incident. Sadly, by highlighting facts about the circumstances surrounding the minor’s claims, they revealed her identity. It would appear that they are ignoring Article 62, subsection 1 of the Sexual Offences Act of Guyana, which states that “the publication in any document, the broadcasting, or transmission in any way, of any information that could identify the complainant or witness to such offences under this Act is prohibited.” In this and other instances, due process must be afforded to the Minister, as with any accused, lest we descend into anarchy arising from the social media frenzy for blood, which must be disciplined.
The allegations, however, have raised the issue of endemic exploitation of Indigenous women by individuals occupying power in institutions of the State, hinterland businessmen and gold and diamond miners. Historically, powerful white planters left a legacy of raping “native” women to create mixed strata in Guiana and other slave societies. Abuse of Indigenous women in the hinterland remained a perennial problem and mushroomed after the post-independence failed Rupununi Uprising of 1969, which led to troops from the coastland, sent to suppress the rebellion, sexually exploiting Indigenous women.
While laws have been enacted on the sexual abuse of women, we should now accept from anecdotal evidence that many such incidents have been occurring with impunity. While we have been very vigilant in complying with foreign imposed TIP laws, for instance, it would appear that this equally brutal rape of Indigenous minors have slipped under the radar. This must be addressed immediately.
