Women rights advocates demand justice for rape victims

Tamale, Dec. 3, GNA - Women rights advocates spearheaded by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Ghana) and Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED Ghana) have added their voice to the call for justice devoid of any considerations to the five girls allegedly raped by security personnel at Nalerigu in the Northern Region.

Madam Saratu Mahama, Northern Regional Coordinator for FIDA, told a press conference that the action of the security personnel was not only inhuman but threatened security in the Nalerigu community. "The physical and psychological cost to the victims is massive," she said.

"FIDA Ghana and CAMFED are holding the government accountable to its international obligations that guarantee that the state must ensure the protection of fundamental human rights of all," she said. Madam Mahama questioned how rape could be substituted for peace since the security personnel were sent there to maintain peace and instil law. "By their actions, Ghana's hard-won recognition and reputation in the international circles has been badly dented".

She said Ghana as a signatory to many conventions and treaties on human and women's rights should not allow such an act to be swept under the carpet, adding that the appropriate law enforcement agencies should follow up the matter till its logical conclusion.

The organizations also agreed with the demands of NETRIGHT, another women rights advocate which had earlier demanded that the safety and security of the girls and their families be ensured.

It also demanded that the victims be provided all medical care required for their well being, be allowed to interact freely with women's rights and human rights organizations and an inquiry to be held to established why the military and the police went to those houses where the girls lived.