(a) The complainant in the matter was Mr. Carl Singh, Chancellor (ag) who was also himself on the ferry returning from Suriname;

(b) Is it a judicial offence for leaving the jurisdiction without permission and supposedly for being absent during working hours; and

(c) The severity of the punishment for such a minor infraction.

One has to ask whether the Chancellor (ag) himself had permission to leave the jurisdiction or was he on duty as he was accompanied by a female clerk from the judicial system in Berbice? Did the female clerk have permission to be absent and to leave the jurisdiction? Is two weeks suspension, of which one is without pay, proper or appropriate punishment for such a minor infraction? What are the rules of the Judicial Service Commission on such a matter and is this heavy-handed punishment being dictated by the Chancellor (a) to cover his own impropriety and embarrassment? Further, it has been established that the Magistrate was on the Bench during the morning session of the day in question. Is the Chancellor (ag) targeting some people whom he does not favour?

As a member of the newly formed Rights of Women Organisation (ROWO) of New Amsterdam, we were returning from Suriname on the said day and witnessed this scenario. We saw both parties including the female clerk who is known to us.

From our observation, we thought they were together as a group. The article in the Kaieteur News of 12-09-09 compelled us to pen this letter. There are many incidents of similar nature taking place in Berbice that our organisation intends to publicise.

Young women are targeted for exploitation and manipulation by senior functionaries in both the private and public sectors. This misuse and abuse of power and authority must cease.
JENNY HENRY
PATRICIA HOWARD
SALIMA BAKSH
INDRANIE RAJNARINE