Civil society renews calls for top cop’s resignation, reform of GPF

Apr 29, 2025 News

Kaieteur News- Civil society organisations on Monday repeated calls for the immediate resignation of Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken, while also demanding a complete overhaul of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Members of Red Thread, Women and Gender Equality Commission, Rights of the Child Commission, along with opposition political figures, and independent supporters staged a peaceful protest outside the force’s headquarters, Eve Leary.

Civil society renews calls for top cop’s resignation, reform of GPF

Protestors lined Guyana Police Force’s headquarters at Eve Leary on Monday, calling for Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken’s resignation.

Protesters braved the rain and sun around noon, holding placards and chanting, “Wicked Hicken must go!” The demonstration was held in solidarity with the family of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, who was found dead in the swimming pool of the Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, last Thursday.

Adriana was last seen on April 23, when her grandmother reportedly sent her to the hotel’s reception to request a pool pass. When she did not return, the family raised an alarm and began searching for her. Despite their pleas, police reportedly told the family that Adriana was not at the hotel, and suggested she had been abducted.

That same night, relatives gathered in front of the hotel in protest. The following morning, Adriana’s lifeless body was discovered in the hotel’s pool. In the aftermath, the hotel and the home of its owner were set ablaze. Police have since placed three officers under close arrest, and Region Three Commander Khalid Mandall has been sent on administrative leave.

Protestors lined Guyana Police Force’s headquarters at Eve Leary on Monday, calling for Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken’s resignation.

Speaking to reporters at Monday’s protest, Alliance For Change (AFC) Chair Cathy Hughes criticised the police’s response: “Nothing has changed. We watched the murder of the 11-year-old child unfold on social media. Not once did the police assist the family. They [the family] said she was still in the building — there should have been a more thorough search.”

She condemned the lack of transparency: “Since the child’s death, no press conference has been held in relation to Adriana.”

Nicole Cole, Commissioner of the Women and Gender Equality Commission, expressed her outrage: “We are calling on the United Nations Children’s Fund to ensure a special rapporteur visits Guyana because of the injustice being meted out to children and the state’s failure to protect them. Children’s rights are human rights. The police failed to protect Adriana — it’s a violation of children’s rights.”

“I am calling for a child protection policy in all hotels in Guyana going forward. It is in keeping with international standards.”

Among the demonstrators was mother of Keon Fogenay, one of the young men who was fatally shot by police in Linden on April 8. She said, “I’m minding my child without a father, and now I lose him, and he hasn’t done anything. I need justice for Fogenay. I am serious about it. I need answers. I came all the way from Linden — I need justice.”

Some protestors noted that the protest was also in response to persons who have suffered injustice.

Protests have continued daily since Adriana’s death, with mounting pressure on the authorities to ensure accountability and justice in the case.

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