HRAC seeks justice for three humiliated girls

The Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC) on Wednesday called for an immediate investigation and punishment of the staff of ‘Mr. Price’ who subjected three ladies to inhuman torture on Monday.

On Monday, February 24th, 2014, three girls, alleged to have shoplifted undergarments from the Mr. Price Clothing Store at the Accra Mall, were asked to crawl on their knees out of the Mall.

A statement signed by Mr. Robert Akoto Amoafo, Executive Director of HRAC and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday said the staff members of Mr. Price Clothing Store at the Accra Mall, who were involved in the humiliation of these three girls should render a public apology to the victims and also be punished for the intolerable violation of basic human rights.

“This includes any manager, salesperson and security guard,” it noted.

The statement said the actions by the staff of Mr. Price are not only indefensible, but also a direct violation of the law.

According to the statement, Ghana’s constitution, specifically, the 15th right, established in Chapter 5: Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, states: that, the dignity of all persons shall be inviolable, no person shall, whether or not he is arrested, restricted or retained, be subjected to; torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; any other condition that detracts or is likely to detract from his dignity and worth as a human being.

“A person who has not been convicted of a criminal offence shall not be treated as a convicted person and shall be kept separately from convicted persons,” it added.

The statement said unless those responsible for orchestrating the event are held accountable, there will be no retribution for the three young girls, victims of this disgusting crime.

It said due to the clear violation of the Ghanaian law, as well as international standards for human rights, the three girls, who are said to be students of the University of Ghana - Legon, have been the victims of a humiliating and unlawful attempt at retribution.

“Regardless of the innocence or guilt of the three students, the actions taken on by the staff of Mr. Price are vindictive and absolutely inexcusable”, the statement added.

HRAC is an agency dedicated to the protection of the human rights of all persons living in Ghana.