Liberian refugee files habeas corpus for her release

Accra, March. 25, GNA- A Liberian refugee at the Gomoa Buduburam camp has filed a habeas corpus writ at the Accra Fast Track High Court against her arrest and detention, together with more than 630 others at the Kordiabe Training Centre on March 17, which she said, was illegal. The writ filed by Ms Chicider Lawrence, is seeking an order for a writ of habeas corpus against the Minister of the Interior and Inspector General of Police to produce her body.

The writ was filed on her behalf by Mr Tuinese Edward Amuzu of Legal Resources Centre and Nana Oye Lithur Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. The writ is asking the Minister and the IGP to justify the arrest and continued detention of Ms Lawrence, and reasons why the court should not order her release.

It is also asking the two officials to be restrained, from taking "any further action inconsistent with her refugee status". The case would be heard on April 2. In his application in support of the motion, Mr Patrick Ahossouhe said the arrest and subsequent detention of her wife, Ms Chucider, and the 630 others beyond 48 hours without recourse to the courts was unlawful.

It said on March 22, some men from the Buduburam camp were also arrested, detained and subsequently deported on the same day. He said he believed that there were preparations to deport Ms Lawrence and others at Kordiabe and asked the court to order the Minister and IGP to produce the bodies of the persons in detention and justify their continued detention. The government removed the refugees from Buduburam after they defied government orders to end their unlawful demonstrations that it said had caused disruption in life at the camp. Government has also said Kordiabe would be a new refugee camp. The UNHCR has asked government to end the deportations of the refugees while warning the Liberians to be of good behaviour. A Liberian delegation is expected to hold talks with government on the problem.