Stakeholders called to address inhumane attitude

The Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC) has condemned the rising canker of mob justice in the country and called on stakeholders to play their role in addressing the inhumane attitude of some Ghanaians.

Addressing a news conference in Accra on Thursday, Mr Robert Akoto Amoafo, Executive Director, HRAC said though not a recent phenomenon, “This barbaric, backward and dehumanizing attitude seems to be rearing it head and becoming rampant in our society where most Ghanaians dispense instance justice causing death or permanent defect on victims”.

He also called for a critical look at the criminal Procedure Code with the view of ensuring speedy trial as these inhumane actions retards the country’s development and sets citizens back as a country.

He said mob action was illegal, contravened the very essence of Ghana’s belief in freedom and justice and the commitment to respecting fundamental human rights.

“Physically abusing someone on mere suspicion is not right but many Ghanaians base the argument for mob justice on the mistrust and slow nature of the police and justice systems,” Mr Amoafo said.

“True as this may be, we do not accept that the answer to this is mob justice.”

Mr Amoafo said diverse religious, traditional and cultural beliefs of Ghanaians expounded love for one another, respect for others, good neighbourliness, tolerance and respect for differences and it was therefore against citizens’ foundations as Ghanaians to brutalize any person for any reason

“The courts should also ensure expeditious trial of cases so as to whip up public confidence in the judiciary,” he added.

He appealed to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, National Commission Civic Education and human rights civil society organizations to increase public education on the need for individuals to report suspected crimes to the police for investigation.

Madam Mina Mensah, Regional Coordinator, Africa Office, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiatives, called for the delivery of justice and the enforcement of laws.