ERC, Rights of the Child Commission want justice, accountability for Adrianna Younge’s death

Apr 28, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News- The Ethnic Relations and Rights of the Child Commissions have expressed profound sadness and outrage over the tragic and untimely death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge.

In separate statements Sunday, the commissions called for accountability and justice for the child, who they said, met a harrowing and untimely demise.

The Rights of the Child Commission said no child should ever be denied their fundamental right to safety, protection, and life and called for a full investigation into Younge’s death.

“Adrianna’s tragic death underscores the urgent need for a swift, transparent, and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. We demand that all individuals involved, including alleged perpetrators and institutions responsible for her welfare, be held fully accountable under the law. Justice for Adrianna is not negotiable—it is a moral imperative,” the ERC said.

The commission said it reaffirms the principles enshrined in the United Nation’s Convention on Rights of the Child (CRC), ratified by Guyana, and which guarantees that every child has: Article 6: “The right to life…to the maximum extent possible, Article 19: The right to protection from “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, abuse, neglect, or exploitation, Article 39: The right to recovery and reintegration for victims of violence, neglect, or exploitation.

The RCC said Adrianna’s case is a harrowing reminder of the country’s collective duty to protect children and uphold their rights without exception. It has called on the country’s law enforcement, judicial authorities, and social services to act urgently, ensuring no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of truth and justice.

It said the tragedy must galvanise systemic action, and urged communities, caregivers, and institutions to remain vigilant advocates for children’s safety, report negligence, demand accountability, and prioritise child protection at all levels.

The RCC said it stands ready to support the family’s pursuit of justice to ensure Adrianna’s death is not in vain.

“The commission will closely monitor this investigation and collaborate with stakeholders to prevent such tragedies. We implore anyone with information to come forward and assist authorities.

Enough is enough. Let Adrianna’s memory ignite a nation where no child’s right to life and dignity is compromised.”

the commission reminded the state and government of their obligations under the UNCR, and reiterated the expectation that the matter will be handled in keeping with the law and in a transparent manner.

Meanwhile, the Ethnic Relations Commission also called for justice for Younge’s death. The commission said its chairman, Shaikh Moeenul Hack, and CEO/Secretary, Gomin Camacho visited Younge’s family to offer prayers and support.

“The commission expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Adrianna Younge on the loss of their precious daughter. The ERC strongly condemns the circumstances leading up to this tragedy and stands in full solidarity with the family in their call for justice.

The commission said those involved must be held accountable and face the full extent of the law. “We mourn as a nation for this beloved child of Guyana, Adrianna Younge. Whether Christian, Hindu, or Muslim, we are united in sorrow and share in the pain of the tragic loss of this innocent soul.”

Further, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI), in its message, said Adrianna’s death is reminiscent to the death of Neesa Gopaul 14 years ago. It said apart from the two being schoolgirls with potential, and coming from the same region, there is an underlying factor involving the police, which must be recognised. This factor, is the level of vulnerability of the police procedures to clandestine influence, the institute stated.

“This is all the more serious, because the result of this influence is indistinguishable from incompetence in that it results in the denial of justice to the family of the victims and the exposure of the society to the perpetrators so they can strike again.”

TIGI asked, “are we really surprised that well-connected criminals go free when it is so easy to sabotage the course of justice? And more to the point, when the senior officers of the law enforcement are picked for their loyalty to the party more than anything else? If the society will remain silent when party faithfuls are promoted, we should continue to look forward to more of the same. We understand that it was not the first time that such a loss of life had taken place at the same hotel. We were even more surprised to learn that it was the fourth time! And with someone who is well connected to the ownership of the hotel being put before the court and escaping justice.”

Meanwhile, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) also shared its condolences to the family

The chamber said it will be hosting a vigil for Adrianna on Tuesday, April 29, at 18:00 hrs. on the avenue of Waterloo Street, opposite the GCCI’s secretariat. The vigil will also be held in remembrance of citizens who died to violence this year.

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