Jagdeo condemns politicisation of Adriana Younge’s death

The political opposition is using the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge to garner attention and fuel racism, according to General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

Speaking at his party’s weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo condemned the politicisation of the child’s death, which he said is being ‘dragged on’ by the Alliance For Chance (AFC) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

“Clearly they want this issue to drag on. It is to the benefit of the AFC, the PNC, APNU and the other groups to have this matter dragged on forever; it suits their political purpose,” he contended.

Jagdeo pointed out that the opposition parties “have no sympathy for this child,” and would not have been so invested had the country not been approaching the General and Regional Elections.

“This is not about justice anymore” he said.

In fact, he noted that the opposition is using the tragedy to fuel racism since its track-record is not favourable.

“They’re hoping to make people feel uneasy…And they’re hoping to repolarise the county because the racism that they were using all the time is becoming less potent so they’re using this issue to try to polarise people again along racial lines. This was never a matter of race, the whole country was upset with this child’s death, we’re all upset with the misleading statement the police gave,” the PPP General Secretary said.

Younge’s body was discovered in a pool at the now-destroyed Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo on April 24, over 12 hours after she was reported missing. However, prior to the discovery, the Guyana Police Force falsely informed the public that the child had left the hotel in a red car.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death is ongoing with the help of retired officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Leonard Mc Coshen.

However, Jagdeo posited that the opposition will not be satisfied with the results of the investigation if it does not align with their ‘pre-conceived conclusion’.

“They don’t have any achievements or anything to campaign on…They have no issue to talk about that makes sense to the people of this country…because their track-record is dismal,” he said, emphasising the APNU’s and AFC’s need to prolong the issue.

An autopsy involving three international pathologists – including one selected by the family – found that the child died from drowning.

Jagdeo said the ongoing investigation has to now determine the manner of death, i.e. if foul play or negligence was involved.