Opposition Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir, has issued a call for President Irfaan Ali to act on the serious allegations of sexual misconduct made against his Minister of Local Government by a 16-year-old schoolgirl.

While the Minister remains silent on the claims amid calls for him to step down and be fully investigated, the President has indicated that once an investigation is completed and facts are known, he will act on the issue.

But the Opposition MP has lashed out at the President over that position, stating that as President, he needs to look out for the best interest of the child and act in the interest of the child, and not try to protect one of his Ministers.

“This is not the first time that allegations like this have been made against Nigel Dharamlall, and instead of standing up for the children of Guyana and instead of requiring that he steps down to facilitate an investigation, (President) Irfaan Ali comes to the media and says that he will act when the evidence is presented. He will act when evidence is presented, failing to recognise and understand that he has a duty to create the circumstances that will ensure that a victim in this situation is comfortable enough to come speak to these issues, he has to create the enabling environment for victims to be protected. Instead what we see him doing, is doubling down and protecting Nigel Dharamlall”, the Opposition MP stated.

She said it would have taken a lot for the teenager to muster up the courage and make the allegations known to the public in her open letter to the President. Walton-Desir said the child must be protected, and Dharamlall must face the consequences for his alleged actions.

Desir-Walton contended that “in any functioning democracy, Nigel Dharamlall would at a minimum be interdicted from duty pending a full and complete investigation, because everyone understands that for as long as he continues to sit in the Office of the Minister, he will abuse his position, he will abuse his powers and he will exert the necessary pressure on that young lady to sign all kinds of statements”.

MP Walton-Desir said the President must take a stand and show that he has the moral conviction to protect the women and children of Guyana.

“Do you understand the courage it took for her to come forward, and you do not protect her”, Walton-Desir asked.

In her open letter, the 16-year-old school girl detailed the allegations of being groomed, preyed upon and sexually assaulted by the Minister at his home. In horrifying detail, the teenager alleged that the Minister forced her to perform sex acts, leaving her in tears and bleeding.

In back to back statements on Saturday, the Minister of Human Services and the Minister of Education both indicated that they have taken note of the serious allegations made against the Local Government Minister.

The Human Services Minister announced that the Child Care and Protection Agency is investigating the allegations, while the Minister of Education has confirmed that the Chief Education Officer has reached out to the child and offered the resources that she may need from the Ministry of Education.

Meanwhile, the women’s arm of the People’s National Congress, has issued a call for Dharamlall to be removed from office and for a full investigation to take place.

Related posts:

Jagdeo assures of “impartial” probe of rape allegations against Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall Association of Women Lawyers, GPSU and TCI join calls for thorough and full investigation into rape allegations against Minister Dharamlall Amerindian Peoples Association blasts government over slow response to serious allegations of sexual assault against Local Government Minister Child Care Agency carrying out full investigation of sex assault allegations against Minister Dharamlall -Human Services Minister announces