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Over a Thousand Complaints At NRC

Mon, 23 Sep 2002 Source: Accra Mail

The National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) had taken 1,033 complaints as at last week Friday in Accra and its five zonal offices in the country.

Four hundred and seventy complaints had been taken at the Commission's headquarters in Accra, followed by Kumasi with three hundred and five statements and then Takoradi, one hundred and thirty-two. Ho had seventy, Bolgatanga, eighteen and Tamale thirty-eight.

The ADM gathered that most of the cases received are within the AFRC and PNDC eras and border on torture, unlawful detention, abduction, disappearances and confiscation of property.

The nine-member Commission which was established by Act 611 of Parliament is chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge, Justice K.E. Amua-Sakyi. It is mandated to look into human rights abuses and violations during the periods from February 24, 1996 to August 21, 1969; January 13, 1972 to September 23, 1979 and December 31, 1981 to January 6, 1993.

The public can also lodge complaints or petitions in respect of violations or abuses of human rights outside those periods of unconstitutional governments between March 6 1957 and January 6, 1993.

The NRC has a one year time frame to finish its work from the first day it holds its public hearing unless a good cause is shown by the Commission, in which case the President by Executive Instrument shall extend the term of the Commission for a period of six months.

At the end of its work, the Commission shall within three months submit its final report to the President.

Source: Accra Mail