No prosecution of wrong-doers -NRC

The National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) said on Thursday that persons known by evidence before the Commission to have committed criminal offences or engaged in human rights violations would not be prosecuted because the commission exists to heal the wounds of victims and not provide an opportunity for vengeance.

According to the NRC Director for Public Affairs, Ms Annie Anipa, the rationale is to discourage the culture of impunity and show the path for national reconciliation while at the same time recommending appropriate redress for victims of human rights violations and abuse.

Ms Anipa explained that “Act 116 which sets up the commission states that were a person gives incriminating evidence, evidence shall not be used in any criminal or civil proceedings against that person.” The commission made these known as part of their weekly press briefings, which take place every Thursday.

The Public Affairs Director also observed that apart from alleged victims of human rights violations, the commission requires persons who have knowledge or were witnesses to human rights violations to submit statements to the commission.

This, she said, would help the commission to establish an accurate and historical record of human rights violations and abuses. She added that such moves would also assist the commission to make recommendations to the President on institutional reforms to prevent the recurrence of human rights violations.

Ms Anipa observed with regret, what she saw as the growing perception that the NRC is targeting the military and other security services. She said the perceptions were unfortunate and based on lack of information on the Act that set up the commission.

She explained that though complaints and petitions have cited the security services for violations and abuse of their rights, a good number of the petitioners are ex-military and police personnel-both officials and men.

According to the commission’s spokesperson, where a complaint of human rights violation is made against a member of the security services, the individual is the one who would be invited to appear before the Commission and not the institution of which he is a member.

On progress report of the commission, Ms Anipa noted that as at Wednesday, this week, a total of 1828 statements had been filed nationwide with Accra recording the highest of 716. The breakdown of statements received is: Tamale-230, Ho-106, Takoradi- 247, Kumasi, 481 and Bolga- 48.