Opposition to table motion for establishment of ‘Younge Child Alert System’

In the wake of the tragic death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, whose body was found in a pool at the Double Day Hotel and Bar earlier this week, the Opposition is set to table a motion in the National Assembly calling for the establishment of a national child emergency alert system.

The motion will be tabled by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member Jermaine Figueira.

His motion states that the situation regarding the girl has demonstrated the urgent need for reforms to enhance child protection and strengthen public safety mechanisms.

The motion seeks the consideration of child emergency alert systems such as the AMBER Alert, which is used in several First World nations to facilitate the rapid recovery of missing children and to save lives.

“The swift dissemination of critical information to the public through mobile devices, media outlets, and public networks has proven to dramatically improve child recovery rates and deter criminal activities against minors,” the motion highlights.

It adds that the establishment of a national child alert system would not only improve law enforcement’s ability to respond promptly to child abductions but would also empower the general public to actively participate in safeguarding our children.

It calls for the Government of Guyana to begin immediate consultations with stakeholders, including the Guyana Police Force, telecommunications providers, civil society organisations, and child rights advocates, to design and implement a national child emergency notification system.

Furthermore, it requests that within six months, the necessary legislation and regulations be drafted and tabled to establish the operational framework, responsibilities, and protocols to govern the national child alert system.

It further calls for annual reports on the system’s activation, effectiveness, and outcomes to be laid before the National Assembly to ensure transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The motion states that the system should be named the “Younge Child Alert System” in honour of Adrianna Younge, to symbolise Guyana’s commitment to the protection of every child within its borders.

It insists that, “the fastest growing economy in the world must proactively implement security measures to protect its most vulnerable citizens, especially its children, amid increasing exposure to criminal elements.”