Youth For Change, the youth arm of the Alliance For Change, is calling for a swift, independent, and impartial investigation into the death of 16-year-old Altaf King. The circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death have raised serious public concern and have brought the conduct of ranks of the Guyana Police Force into question. Given the gravity of the matter and the need to preserve public confidence, Youth For Change believes that any investigation must be conducted by independent persons or an independent body with no institutional interest in the outcome.
The organisation reiterates that “the police cannot and should not investigate the police” in a matter where police conduct is itself under scrutiny. An internal investigation, regardless of its stated intentions, would risk being viewed with suspicion by the public and by the grieving family. For justice to be both done and seen to be done, the process must be transparent, credible, and free from any appearance of bias.
Youth For Change is therefore urging the relevant authorities to move urgently to appoint an independent investigative mechanism, ensure that all evidence is secured, and provide regular updates to the public. The organisation further calls on all responsible agencies to treat the matter with the seriousness, sensitivity, and urgency it deserves.
Youth For Change and the Alliance For Change extends its profound sympathies to the family, friends, and loved ones of young Altaf King. We mourn the loss of another Guyanese youth whose life ended far too soon, before he had the opportunity to fully make his mark on society. At this painful time, the family deserves answers, accountability, and a process that inspires confidence rather than doubt.
Youth For Change will continue to stand with citizens who demand fairness, transparency, and justice, and calls on the authorities to act in a manner that reassures the nation that no life will be treated lightly and no concern will be dismissed.
