The Mass Action Committee (MAC) has condemned security personnel brutalizing innocent civilians under the guise of enforcing President Akufo-Addo’s lockdown order.
In a statement signed by its convener, Atik Mohammed, the group said, the trend of affairs was objectionable and it condemns the actions of some security personnel in the strongest words possible.
The group rather urged security officers to resort to due process if they arrest people who flout the lockdown order.
“Our view therefore is that, culprits must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. When they are found guilty, we admonish that, the courts be prayed to exact only the penalty of fines in lieu of imprisonment given the COVID 19 situation. We further suggest that, an escrow account be created for these fines so that, they can be used specifically to support government’s anti-corona efforts,” it said.
Below is the full statement:
PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- The Mass Action Committee (MAC) has noted with concern, the growing number of video footages showing some security personnel subjecting civilians to all forms of abuses, ostensibly to enforce directives of the lockdown. This trend of affairs is objectionable and we condemn it in the strongest words possible.2.It cannot be gainsaid that, the lockdown is a painfully necessary measure meant to ensure our individual and collective safety. To this end, laws have been enacted to govern this process namely; the Imposition of Restrictions Act 2020, Act 1012, and the corresponding Imposition of Restrictions Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19) Pandemic (No.2) Instrument, EI 65. And that, everyone within the jurisdiction of Ghana is required to strictly observe the lockdown in accordance with these laws.
- However, it will be naïve to assume that, all will obey the lockdown rules. That is why in the wisdom of authorities, it became imperative to deploy our security personnel to ensure compliance. It must be underscored that, this task does not even remotely, suggest our security officers can resort to the use of extralegal means in dealing with suspected offenders. In fact, Section 6 of ACT 1012, clearly specifies the penalty regime for offenders. It states, “A person who fails to comply with a restriction imposed under the Executive Instrument issued under subsection (1) of section 2 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than one thousand penalty units and not more than five thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than four years and not more than ten years or both”.
- Our view therefore is that, culprits must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. When they are found guilty, we admonish that, the courts be prayed to exact only the penalty of fines in lieu of imprisonment given the COVID 19 situation. We further suggest that, an escrow account be created for these fines so that, they can be used specifically to support government’s anti-corona efforts.
- We cannot, in fighting this crisis create another tragedy- the tragedy of human rights abuses. Our history is punctuated with unpleasant experiences of civilian brutalities by men in uniform who had little regard for people’s rights. We cannot allow a return to that chapter even if it is in the name of fighting COVID 19. Our security men must use the law to its full effect in dealing with people who flout the restriction laws.
- Meanwhile, we like to reiterate our call to all Ghanaians to observe the restriction or lockdown directives in order to ensure, we slow and hopefully break the chain of spread of COVID 19.
- We also wish to applaud the relentless efforts of government, our frontline health workers and all Ghanaians who have variously contributed to this fight.
God bless our homeland Ghana and together we shall overcome!
SIGNED
Atik Mohammed
(Executive Secretary)
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com
