GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) Wednesday called on the police to conduct an “unbiased” investigation into the sexual assault allegations against the embattled Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall.
Police had arrested the minister, who had since gone on leave to facilitate the probe, when he presented himself at the Brickdam Police Station in the company of his attorney, Nigel Hughes, on Monday night.
“We call on the Guyana Police Force and all the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation while upholding their primary objective, to serve and protect,” the GAWL said in a statement.
The 16-year-old child, who has been taken into protective custody by the State, has assisted investigators. GAWL urged that the rule of law be upheld for a full and fair investigation into the allegations to protect the interest of all parties.
“Those who wield this power are not above the law,” GAWL said, noting that ministers of government are appointed by the people, for the people, and should at all times serve them.
GAWL has also called on the public not to peddle speculation and misinformation that could pervert the course of justice and further damage the Complainant.
“This includes the circulation of photographs and images of the complainant,” it added.
Meanwhile, Guyana’s Constitutional Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) said it supported the action taken by the government regarding the allegation.
“There is an urgent need to eliminate the culture that permits bad behavior. We must insist that those who make the laws must always uphold them. Anyone who breaks the law must bear the consequences of their action,” it said.
The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) political party has criticized the government for failing to take action before public pressure, insisting Dharamlall should have been removed from office long ago.
“TCI is also disappointed that the government didn’t act decisively in removing Dharamlall from public office, especially given his track record of vulgar utterances at our highest forum, Parliament, and other similar accusations of vulgar misconduct circulating in social media,” that party said.
n Sunday, President Irfaan Ali said that he has “no problem” with a request made by Dharamlall, who is on a one million dollar (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) bail, to proceed on leave to facilitate the investigation.
“The minister has requested leave for a full probe into the allegations, and I have no problem with it. I have agreed,” Ali told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) in a telephone interview.
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