Ashaiman: Amnesty International Calls For Probe Into Military Brutality

Amnesty International Ghana has condemned and called for independent investigations into the abuse of civilians during Tuesday’s raid at Ashaiman by officers of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

The military officers besieged the community in search of killers of a young trooper in the area.

In the course of their operation which was “intelligence-led”, some residents were flogged while the entire community was restricted from moving and homes were broken into.

Amnesty International Ghana observes that the action of the military affected the residents both physically and psychologically “due to this inhumane incident”.

It recognised the military went ultra vires in their operation citing Article 210 clause (3) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

“This in no way reflects the mandate of the military which clearly states that ‘The Armed Forces shall be equipped and maintained to perform their role of defence of Ghana as well as such other functions for the development of Ghana as the President may determine’.”

Probe

The NGO called for independent investigations into the brutality and a subsequent compensation for the victims.

Their call adds up to that of former President John Dramani Mahama and several others.

In a Facebook post, the former president said a probe into the incident and reparation will forestall potential tensions between personnel of the GAF and residents of Ashaiman.

In a statement, the Ghana branch of Amnesty International said, “We would like to respectfully remind the President of Ghana who is the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Minister of Interior, the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces and other authorities involved in law enforcement in Ghana, that under their international human rights obligations, they must promptly, independently, thoroughly, and effectively investigate this unfortunate incident.

“Amnesty International Ghana is calling for an independent investigation, as matter of urgency, to ensure that the military personnel involved in carrying out human rights abuses against the people of Ashaiman are held accountable and that adequate compensation be given to these victims.”

It also called on the Military to hold back their investigations into the killing of the trooper, Imoro Sherrif, to make way for the Ghana Police Service to deliver on its mandate.

Imoro was killed on Saturday, March 4.

This was followed by the military’s operation in the community on Tuesday, March 7 to fish out the killers.

184 residents were arrested but have been released.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini