Accra, April 1, GNA – The Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), a nongovernmental organisation, has condemned the alleged acts of brutalities meted out to some people for breaking rules governing the partial lockdown in greater Accra and Kumasi metropolitan areas.
They have equally called on the public to respect the President’s directives on Covid-19 to ensure peaceful co-existence and avoid its spread.
Similarly, they appealed to government to bring officers on the ground to order, if the allegations were found to be true.
The organisations described video footages of alleged punishments meted out to citizens it has sighted as “uncalled for.”
The condemnation of the alleged brutalities was contained in statement signed by Mr Joseph Kobla Wemakor, HRRG Executive Director and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
“The Human Rights Reporters Ghana is alarmed by the countless abuses meted out, being meted out and will be meted out by the police and military officers deployed to maintain law and order and enforce the lockdown directives to help contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana,” the statement said.
“Men and women have been allegedly abused by officers who are beating, slapping, spanking and applying unreasonable force. The continuous abuse of Ghanaians across Accra, Kumasi, Kasoa and Tema by these men in uniform goes to defeat the purpose for which they are in town.”
It also cautioned people who do not have anything to do during the lockdown period to stay home in order to avoid any confrontation with security personnel.
The President in his briefing of the nation did not instruct officers to abuse his citizens in any way, the statement stressed, “We at the Human Rights Reporters Ghana as human rights activists condemn the approach and methodology being used to ensure citizens observe the laws.”
it added, “We urge Ghanaians to be law-abiding and act within the confines of the order ensuring our restrictive movement.”
“The right to life and health are universally recognized and are fundamental parts of our understanding of a life with dignity.”
GNA