Read below the statement issued by the Alliance For Change (AFC):
The Alliance For Change calls for Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh to be relieved of duties immediately and for a full, independent and impartial investigation into reports of criminal misconduct made against him.
A female inspector of police has reportedly accused Karimbaksh of rape, assault and threatening her life. These are serious allegations of criminal behaviour and it is not the first time that the head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has found himself accused of being on the wrong side of the law.
The Party calls for an independent team of regional and international investigators to be comprised to dig into these allegations. Like the rest of Guyana, we have no confidence that any investigation by the police into one of its own would be impartial.
Although it is unlikely, a decisive statement from the Minister of Home Affairs supporting the call for an independent investigation would be an indication that the minister has a zero tolerance policy on rape and sexual assault.
Similarly, though unlikely, Sonia Parag, Dr. Vindya Persaud, Susanne Rodrigues, Priya Manickchand and other women leaders of the PPP should raise their voices demanding an impartial investigation. Their silence can be interpreted either as complicity or that they have been issued a Gag Order.
The AFC urges independent NGOs, women’s ogranisations and all right thinking Guyanese to join the call for Karimbaksh to removed from duties and for an impartial investigation into the allegations made against him.
