Women For Change (WFC) has taken note of President Irfaan Ali’s reluctance to instruct an impartial investigation into the conduct of Nigel Dharamlall as it relates to allegations of inappropriate conduct and sexually predatory behaviour.
“In its open letter to the President, WFC had reminded of the duty of the President to all Guyanese. Sadly, the President seems not inclined to carry out his duty and has passed the proverbial ‘buck’ to the Guyana Police Force,” the WFC stated in an open letter.
WFC is of the strong view that the allegations against Dharamlall warrant a thorough investigation by his superior officer, in this case the President. These allegations have brought the Ali Administration into disrepute, something we thought the President would have addressed with alacrity, the WFC said.
Dharamlall according to text messages, invited the New York-based woman for sexual exploits, not least to sit on his face.
“We remind the President of Guyana’s obligations under the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women to which Guyana is a signatory that, “States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to suppress all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of prostitution of women.”
The allegations against Dharamlall clearly point to intent to exploit the young woman.
Given the reluctance of the President, WFC will now write the Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to apprise them of the situation.
WFC will also raise Dharamlall’s call for two of Guyana’s senior and highly respected women judges to be ‘de-frocked’.
WFC also intends to bring the allegations against Dharamlall to the attention of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
WFC will not rest until these allegations and the conduct of Dharamlall are fully and impartially investigated.
WFC takes this opportunity to reach out to Zainab Hussain and her daughter to offer encouragement and support. We call on the women of Guyana to raise your voices against any and all forms of discrimination and exploitation of women.
