The Childcare and Protection Agency has registered its deep concern at recent events which have placed some of our children at risk.

The agency has heard the recording between two persons, purportedly an adult and a child, and is of the view that the contents of the recording are serious and warrant thorough investigation with a view to determining the veracity of said contents, a statement from the Agency said yesterday.

The statement said:
“The agency is of the view that if the contents of the recording are true, then the adult in question needs to be disciplined in every regard.

“In the meanwhile, the agency is deeply concerned about the wellbeing and welfare of the alleged child involved. We are very worried at the national exposure of this child and are troubled by the ramifications of this repeated exposure and the psychological impact that this may have on this child. How is this boy coping? We urge anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to immediately contact the Childcare and Protection Agency on 227-4420 so that we may be able to urgently address all of his needs.

Of deep concern to the agency also is the usage of children in protest and then the publication of a picture in the newspapers where these children could be easily identified.

From reports in the same newspaper these children are being taught intolerance and hatred and this is reprehensible.

“The agency shall do its best to protect the rights of parents to protest and even assist in promoting those rights.

The Agency further believes strongly in the right of children to express themselves, vocalize their concerns and to be taken seriously by adults, but the agency absolutely denounces the exploitation of children in any activity which could bring or cause them harm.

“Children should be allowed to be children and should not be drawn into adult activities where vulgarity, abuse and violence or a violent atmosphere prevails.

“We urge the Guyana Police Force to act decisively against adults whenever children are being used and exploited in activities where they may come into harm’s way.

“We urge all persons, community members, political parties, activists and members of the media to refrain from using and exploiting children to achieve any end.

“Guyana has not before encouraged exploitation of our children, whether by individuals or in an organised manner, and all of us must guard against descending into this murky abyss,” the statement concluded.