Dear Editor,
I AM appalled at what seems to be a pattern of sexually and otherwise abusive behaviour by representatives and members of political parties. It appears that these vile individuals perceive that their political affiliation will protect, or worse yet, have protected them when they should have had to face the courts to answer for their actions. Worse yet, it appears that these persons somehow feel emboldened to commit sex crimes against children, youth women and LGBTQ+ persons in particular.
In 2016, the APNU/AFC removed and withdrew its support for Winston Harding, who, it was alleged, was involved in sex crimes against minors. Although he was charged twice and never convicted, the APNC/AFC made a decision to remove his name from its list of candidates, and also withdrew its support for his campaign to be a representative for Constituency 13.
Since 2015, there have been at least three instances of political representatives for the PPP charged for or allegedly involved in alleged sex crimes against children and youth. Mr. Allister Charlie is one such person who is currently before the courts on a charge of rape. Mr. Charlie is a former Member of Parliament of the PPP, and a Central Committee member. I will not repeat the details of this case, however, it was widely reported in the daily press and Online media. In March of 2019, the ChildCare and Protection Agency launched an investigation into an alleged case of rape of a 22-year-old young man by PPP Region One official, Brentnol Ashley. The 22-year old young man, who was allegedly abused in this instance, has a speech impediment. He alleged that he was taken to Georgetown from Mabaruma by Ashley and lured to a hotel, where he was bullied into having sex and later left stranded. The young man further alleged that Mr. Ashley is a family friend that would help out with finances on occasion. Mr. Ashley has denied all allegations, and is yet to be disciplined by the PPP. In fact, Mr. Ashley is still Chairman of Region One, and a candidate on the PPP’s List of Candidates for the upcoming March 2, 2020 elections.
The most recent case of political representatives and candidates allegedly involved in sex crimes against youth has resulted in the death by suicide of a 13- year-old girl. According to the allegations, the suspect, Pandit Vickash Ramkissoon, sexually molested the now deceased teenager. Mr. Ramkissoon was placed on $150,000 station bail after giving statements to the police. To date, the PPP has not taken action to remove the Pandit’s name from its List of Representatives among other actions they ought to take. In yet another case of alleged sex crimes against a minor, Mr. Allister Charlie was charged for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy. It was further alleged that on August 5, 2019, at Lethem, Rupununi, he attempted to pervert the course of justice. He, too, remains on the PPP’s list of candidates, was a former Member of Parliament for that party and a Central Committee member. This would mean that there are at least three representatives on the PPP list of candidates for the March 2, 2020 elections that have either been charged and/or are being investigated for sex crimes against children and youth. The time has come for our judiciary, the police and all political parties to adopt a zero tolerance policy and measures to deter and punish perpetrators of sex crimes against children especially.
Sincerely,
Robin Chung-A-On
