HEAD of State President Donald Ramotar today strongly reprimanded Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, following statements he uttered during and following a recent public confrontation with activist, Ms.Sherlina Nageer.“The statements and behaviour of the minister, do not reflect the high standards I have set for ministerial conduct nor the public’s expectations of an office holder…It is outright disrespectful and improper, I intend to have further discussions with the minister on this matter,” President Ramotar said.

Health Minister, Dr Ramsaran during the confrontation with activist Ms Nageer, outside the Whim Magistrates Court on Monday last, uttered words to the effect that, “he would slap her ass just for the fun of it.”
The Health Minister was also overheard—in a recording gone viral on social networks—suggesting he could also arrange for the woman activist to be stripped.
Dr Ramsaran immediately issued an apology but was overheard in a subsequent, recorded tirade against the activist, Ms Nageer, this time suggesting that the woman activist is a “miscreant” in need of psychiatric help.
In his second tirade, the Health Minister was overheard speaking of the fact that Ms. Nageer, being an activist with backing from the international community could somehow, “spit in my face, but not collect two slap [sic].”
He went further, “or one of my ladies who love me, wreck her up, you understand me… You know I’m Bheri best, all the ladies like me.”
The Health Minister has since come in for flak from a wide cross-section of society, including women’s rights organisations, colleague ministers and also now members of the diplomatic community.
DISGRACEFUL
Newly installed British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, met earlier today with members of the media corps for the first time since his sojourn and condemned Dr Ramsaran’s utterance as “disgraceful,” adding too that had this been the United Kingdom, then he would have been sacked not only as minister, but also as a member of the political party.
“To be brutally frank, what the Minister of Health said was disgraceful,” according to the British diplomat.

Quinn told reporters the “language” used by Dr Ramsaran in his tirade against Ms Nageer, and “more importantly the sentiment, that it is acceptable to use violence, and particularly sexual against a woman has got no place whatsoever in the 21st Century.”
The British emissary to Guyana who succeeded his predecessor almost two months ago, met with members of the local media corps at the High Commissioner’s official residence in Bel Air, Georgetown and was asked how his government would have handled such a situation.
According to Quinn, “if that had been a UK Minister that had said that, he would no longer be a UK Minister and he would no longer be a member of the political party.”
DISSAPOINTED
Among the condemnations pouring in from sections of society is that of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), the women’s arm of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), which by way of a public missive earlier today said it is extremely disappointed with the recent utterances made.
“WPO’s disappointment stems from the fact that Dr. Ramsarran is a hardworking individual who was schooled in a political environment to respect women’s equality…Dr. Ramsarran is known for his support for women’s empowerment and has always been prepared to provide assistance to women, especially those who are medically challenged,” the statement said.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has also called out the minister over the remarks made in reference to the woman activist, saying, “Personally I think it should have never happened. It was distasteful…the party does not condone any disparaging things said about women, especially if it is done in a way that seems sexist.”
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, in making her views known took to social media and said, “What Bheri Ramsarran is reported to have said is nothing short of sexist, he wouldn’t have thought of stripping a man, disrespectful, vulgar and stupid. He must apologise and retract what he said.

“I unreservedly condemn his choice of words. I believe he could have and indeed he was entitled to defend himself if he felt threatened by an assault. I don’t believe he is entitled to slap anybody just for fun or to strip anybody.”
PPP/C prime ministerial candidate, Elisabeth Harper, has also strongly condemned the minister’s comments in reference to Ms. Nageer.
Harper in a recent statement said, “the remarks made by Minister Bheri Ramsaran are unacceptable and an affront to women.”
She said, “I condemn his utterances in the strongest possible manner,” adding that it is yet another example of how much more needs to be done in ensuring that women are treated with respect and dignity, especially by the exemplars in society.
“This incident is not an isolated case; it is symptomatic of the way our society can still be at times despite the huge strides we have made in advancing the rights of women…“It reinforces my own personal intention and commitment to championing the cause of the vulnerable in our society.”