The women’s rights group Tamùkke Feminists is calling for an independent investigation into allegations of rape and death threats made against the Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit, Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh.
The allegations were reportedly made by a serving female police officer.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the group said it is deeply disturbed that the allegations have been met with silence and inaction by the Guyana Police Force and the State.
Tamùkke Feminists said the woman came forward at great personal risk, yet the institutions charged with protecting the public, including her, have offered no public word, no assurance and no visible action.
The group said silence and inaction embolden perpetrators, deter survivors from reporting and erode public trust in the justice system.
Tamùkke Feminists is calling for an immediate investigation free from the influence of the Police Force’s chain of command, and for Karimbaksh to be sent on administrative leave pending its outcome, so that he holds no authority over the complainant, witnesses or the investigation.
The group is also calling for urgent measures to protect the woman’s physical safety, given the reported threats against her life, and to shield her from retaliation, reassignment or intimidation within the Force. It wants her to receive confidential psychosocial support, provided independently of the Police Force.
The group has also called on the Guyana Police Force and the Government to make a clear public statement on the steps being taken.