Restrictions law can be abused, revise it – Amnesty International

Amnesty International is of the believe that government’s new Imposition of Restrictions Act 2020 passed by parliament in March this year could be used by present and successive governments to abuse the rights of citizens.

Government explains that the piece of legislations which gives legal backing to powers that can be exercised by the President to impose restrictions on persons in times of public emergencies will help president Akufo-Addo contain a further spread of the Coronavirus pandemic for purposes of public safety and protection.

The Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo who moved the motion for the third and final reading of the bill in an attempt to explain to parliament said: “The emphasis is creating a piece of legislation that will deal not only with the risk that our country has been exposed to presently but also in the future.”

However, Amnesty International says there will be an urgent need for Ghana to revise the law saying that it provides open excessive powers for any executive president hence posing a threat to the rights of citizens.

Country Director of Amnesty International Robert Akoto Amoafo told Class News’ Blessed Sogah, that: “We’re not criticising a particular government, but we are talking about the fact that once this law exists, whatever government comes into power can use this law against the people.”

He added that: “Already it has been passed, it was passed under an emergency certificate…so it was quickly done and there was very limited consultation. But we believe that there is a need to look at that law again, we need to bring the law back and do a critical consultation.”