STAKEHOLDERS in civil society have called for an independent investigation into the alleged rape of 23-year-old Colwyn Harding at the Timehri Police Station.

And President Donald Ramotar has made clear his support for this endeavour.

At a press conference yesterday at Office of the President, he said, “I am ready for that.”
According to him, the reporting to date on the matter by sections of the media has been “irresponsible” and indicative of an agenda.
“This government is against any kind of torture,” he said, “But at the same time, I don’t think you hang people without a trial.”
Ramotar questioned the motives behind the “irresponsible” coverage in the local media and contended that there seems to be an agenda to instigate negativity into Guyanese society.
“I think the reporting of that has been so irresponsible, it is amazing,” he said.

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Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, earlier this week made similar comments.
He stated that there should be no rush to judgment until the necessary investigations are completed and the reports are filed.
Rohee said, “This is turning out to be a little more complicated than it appears on the surface…we need not rush to judgment, but let the investigation be concluded, the medical reports submitted.
“….let all the facts be at our disposal so that a dispassionate analysis can be made…from what has been said so far, by the Minister of Health, the Police Force, the doctors and the victim himself, if we are to look at it dispassionately…when you look at all of it, it is turning out to me to be more complex.
“It is not a black and white area, there are grey areas…we need to keep our eyes on those grey spots to understand the issue. It is an allegation…allegations are fast and furious some days. It is not unusual for someone to make an allegation.”
He added that the case was not reported to his ministry and the first time he became aware of the incident was when it was made public in the local media.
According to him, the disciplinary actions levied against the Guyana Police Force ranks alleged to have raped the 23-year-old will depend on the recommendations of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Rohee pointed out that acts that are inimical to the Force and bring it into disrepute have in the past attracted internal charges and present day cases will not be treated differently.
“Not because an officer is transferred, he will not be charged if the action so merits,” the minister said, in reference to the transfer of eight ranks from the Timehri Police Station.
The officer who is alleged to have committed the act, Constable 19175 Devin Mahendra Singh, remains under close arrest.

(By Vanessa narine)