-by Svetlana Marshall-

A number of non-governmental groups are making known their demand for a proper investigation to be completed into the allegations of rape against a Government Minister and the need for the 16-year-old who filed the complaint to receive proper legal representation.

The Guyana Police Force has denied reports that the teen has not been allowed to speak with her Attorneys. The teenager has been requesting the presence of an Attorney for her interview sessions with the Police.

Today, the Red Thread organisation and the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) joined calls for the victim to be allowed legal representation as they picketed outside of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) where the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was hearing cases.

APA Executive Director, Jean La Rose told News Source that any attempt to deny the 16-year-old victim independent legal representation is a breach of her constitutional right as a young indigenous woman.

“As far as we are aware the girl is in custody, state custody, whatever custody, it is not quite clear if she is having representation, legal representation or even independent representation, in a matter that is very, very serious, in a matter that you have heard stories repeated of similar things happening but never making it to even an inquiry much more to becoming a court matter,” La Rose said.

La Rose said the State must put the requisite systems in place to ensure that the teenager and her parents receive independent legal counsel from an independent attorney.

Laura George – APA Governance and Rights Coordinator – said the entire scenario is troubling. 

“There is a lot questions, a lot of uncertainty, with regards to legal representation of the child, access to the child, so that we all know that justice is really being served to the child, and that the process is fair,” George told News Source.

The APA Governance and Rights Coordinator said it was important for the Guyana Police Force to conduct its investigation in a fair and transparent manner.

Noting that the case of the 16-year-old is just one of many such reported incidents, George said it was time to hold the State accountable, and provide must needed support to the victim.

“We are here to stand by, and not to judge, and not to criticize but to really lend support to them, and also to make sure that we also hold the system and the government and the state accountable. We need to have a full movement so that the state is held accountable, the systems are enhanced, so it can build trust,” George said.

Red Thread Representative, Joy Marcus, who was also among those on the picket line today, called on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the international community to take note of the crimes being committed against Guyanese women and girls, and the gaps within the system.

 “We need to raise awareness and call attention to what is happening in Guyana right now. And the present situation we have, is the situation of the 16-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped by our minister of local government. First of all, we understand that this is not the first time such complaint has been raised against him, and we are wondering, why something was not done before now,” Marcus said.

Marcus said by standing on the picket line, Guyanese are standing up against injustice.

“Today we are taking a stand that justice has to be served not only for this child but for all the others that he would have allegedly sexually assaulted or raped before, to prevent it from happening to anybody else but also to send a message to all the other sexual predators out there that this is not allowed to happen,” Marcus us.

Politician and Human Rights Activist, Simona Broomes said all must be held accountable. She urged the US and Canada to send a strong message by revoking the visa of the accused.

“In this case, I believe, it is time to stand up and hold all accountable. There must be equality as it relates to justice. I want to use this opportunity to call on the international community, the United States, Canada and all over, just in case, Dharamlall or any other person, holds US visa, that his visa be revoked, and be denied entries into certain countries, that will send a strong signal to the women of Guyana and civil society that while it might be compromised at our level, they also, they are standing in solidarity as it relates to justice,” Broomes said.

The former Government Minister said that the evidence in the case not only points to a suspected case of rape and sexual assault but human trafficking as well.

Against that background she urged the police to investigate all angles, and ensure that their investigations are fair and free from compromise.

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