Human rights abuse victims make complaints to NRC

A number victims of human rights violations during periods of unconstitutional regimes in the country began making statements and complaints to the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) when it started work on Tuesday.

At the Independence Square in Accra, more than 60 people had filed complaints, as at 1pm and in Kumasi, the number was 23. One complainant was Mr Sammy Nassar, 65, Group Chairman and Managing Director of Ghana Cable Company Limited, who told his story to the press after making an official complaint to Commission.

He said in 1983, he was outside the country when he had information that his personal accounts and four companies were frozen and his BMW and Volvo cars were also seized from his house.

Mr Nassar, who said he had Lebanese parents but was born a Ghanaian, said agents of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), arrested him on 8 June 1988, the day he returned to the country and kept him in detention until 21st May 1992, when he was under intensive care at the Police Hospital before he was released.

He said during the period he underwent various forms of mental torture as he was transferred from one detention camp to another. He said he was initially kept at the BNI Headquarters, transferred to the BNI annex, James Fort and Nsawam Medium Security Prisons and back to the James Fort.

"During the period, I made several petitions to the then Head of State and the Secretary for the Interior, but all were to no avail. I was still kept under detention and had to undergo two major surgical operations before my release," Mr Nassar said.

He said he had several severe bouts of malaria and only his wife was allowed to see him. "Our only hope was the Bible and we had to rely on God to see us through", Mr Nassar said calmly, and indicated that at present he bore no grudge against anyone.

He said he had presented 24 documents to the Commission and said he believed in the Concept of Reconciliation and lauded the government for the bold decision to set up the Commission.

Asked if he was expecting any reward or punishment for the ills he suffered, Mr Nassar answered: "I have only presented my case and would rely on the Commission's recommendations." Mr Nassar said his assets, which were frozen, had been de-frozen since August 1992.