APA calls for permanent closure of bar where Indigenous woman was reportedly raped, demands justice for victim

The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has called for the permanent closure of Raghoo’s Sports Bar at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, where a young Indigenous woman was reportedly brutally raped.

“We call on the Government of Guyana to ensure that the bar where this crime occurred is shut down permanently, and we urge the Guyana Revenue Authority to immediately revoke all licenses held by the owner. Such an establishment has no place in our society, and allowing it to continue operations would be an insult to all women across the country.”

“We call on every branch of government and civil society to treat this case with the gravity it demands and to ensure justice is delivered fully, swiftly, and without exception,” the APA said.

Police say the bar has since been closed and several persons have been arrested.

It said the 20-year-old Amerindian woman has alleged that she was drugged and raped by three men at the said bar. The incident reportedly occurred earlier this week and came to public attention after a video of the young woman surfaced on social media.

Police, in a report, said that at around 20:20 hrs on Friday, Laura George, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, escorted the woman—who resides along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway—to the Timehri Police Station, where she made an official report.

The young woman was interviewed by police ranks and provided details of the alleged assault.

According to the APA, the act is not only a vile crime but a blatant violation of human dignity.

“We demand that the perpetrators of this abhorrent crime face the full extent of the law without any delay or leniency. Justice must be swift, uncompromising, and complete.”

Equally disturbing, the APA said, is the reprehensible behaviour of the bar’s patrons, who, instead of intervening and rendering assistance, chose to film this violent assault.

“Their actions constitute active participation in a violent crime, and we call for criminal charges to be brought against every individual who enabled or recorded this atrocity,” the APA said.

It acknowledged the immediate response by the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and commended their swift action.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the APNU, and the Forward Guyana Movement have all condemned the heinous acts.