TUC urges probe into Varshnie Singh allegations of ‘hi-tech’ domestic violence

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) is calling for a commission of inquiry to ascertain the validity of former first lady Varshnie Singh’s allegations of ‘hi-tech’ domestic violence against her by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The allegations made by Singh should be of concern to all, Acting General Secretary of the GTUC, Norris Witter told reporters at a press conference last week.

He said the trade union body “demands, as a matter of urgency, the setting up of an independent and impartial commission of inquiry to ascertain the validity or not of the damning allegations”.

He declared that there are regional and international implications for the allegations and stated that Guyana is a signatory to a number of conventions and protocols as it relates to domestic violence among others. He said that the GTUC had been in contact with a number of “very strong” women’s groups in the Caribbean.

Singh had told reporters earlier this month, after being locked out of State House that she did not receive proper maintenance or care during the nine-year marriage and suffered ‘high-tech’ domestic abuse. She had later revealed that the marriage was never legally registered.