The Rights of the Child Commission on Thursday called for timely investigations and an urgent review of measures to safeguard children following recent reports of deaths in Guyana.
In a statement, the Commission extended its deepest condolences to the affected families, including those mourning a six-year-old boy whose body was discovered in a canal and a three-year-old boy who died alongside his mother in a house fire.
“These deeply distressing incidents underscore the urgent need for a renewed national commitment to safeguarding every child’s life, dignity, and fundamental rights in Guyana. They also demand
decisive action to strengthen child-protection systems and prevent further loss of young lives”, the Commission said.
Beyond the immeasurable grief experienced by the families, the Commission said that the tragedies “compel us, as a nation, to confront a fundamental question: Are we doing enough, collectively and institutionally, to prevent harm to children and ensure that their rights are effectively protected?”
Noting that Guyana ratified the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on 14 January 1991, the Commission said that this commitment must be translated into “effective legislation, responsive institutions, preventive interventions, and demonstrable accountability”.
Several provisions of the Convention, it said, are particularly relevant to the protection of children in these
circumstances:
Article 3 – Best interests of the child: The best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children.Article 6 – Right to life, survival and development: Every child has an inherent right to life, and States Parties must ensure, to the maximum extent possible, the survival and development of the
child.
Article 19 – Protection from violence: States Parties must take appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, abuse, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation while in the care of parents, legal guardians orothers.
Article 12 – Right to be heard: Children capable of forming their own views must be given the opportunity to express those views freely in all matters affecting them, with due weight accorded to
their age and maturity.
These provisions establish a clear framework for action, the Commission said, adding “Child protection must extend beyond
responding to tragedy after it occurs. It requires early identification of risks, accessible reporting mechanisms, timely and coordinated interventions, professional assessment of family circumstances, and effective monitoring of children who may be vulnerable to violence, neglect or other forms of harm.
The Commission therefore called for:
1. Thorough, impartial and timely investigations into both incidents, with respect for due process, the presumption of innocence and the privacy and dignity of the children and their families.
2. An urgent review of child-protection prevention and response mechanisms, including the effectiveness of risk assessment, referrals, inter-agency information-sharing and follow-up where
concerns about a child’s safety arise.
3. Greater institutional coordination among the Childcare and Protection Agency, the Guyana Police Force, health and social services, educational institutions and other relevant agencies to
ensure that credible concerns about children’s safety receive timely and appropriate attention.
4. Greater public awareness and community responsibility, encouraging citizens to report suspected child abuse, neglect or threats to a child’s safety through the appropriate channels, rather than remaining silent.5. Adequate resources and sustained investment in child-protection
services, including professional social work, counseling, family support, parenting education and accessible services for children and caregivers experiencing crisis.
The Commission also emphasised that the protection of children is a shared responsibility of the State, families, communities, civil society and every citizen.
“Guyana must move beyond expressions of sadness and public outrage to sustained, coordinated and evidence-informed action. Ratification of the UNCRC carries obligations that must be translated into meaningful protection for children in their homes, communities and institutions”, the Commission added.
Discussion