Govt urged to ratify 'Convention against Torture'

Accra, June 26, GNA - The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on Monday called on the Government to ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) as soon as practicable to improve the legal regime.

The Commission said the ratification of OPCAT would prevent torture and ill treatment of detainees because it promoted regular visits to detention facilities by independent international and national bodies. A statement signed by Mr Richard Quayson, Deputy Commissioner of the CHRAJ, to mark the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which falls on June 26, said though torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were prohibited in the country, abuses still continued.

"People held in detention facilities are most at risk, as they live cut off from the world and entirely dependent upon the authorities, whose institutions were under funded, for their basic needs and rights" the statement said.

The Commission commended the security agencies for their efforts at combating crime and at the same time condemned certain actions by the Police, which did not take human dignity into consideration. It said surveys conducted by human rights organizations had shown that torture and ill treatment were prevalent in judicial circles where many courts considered confession to be the principal evidence of a suspect's guilt.

The Commission had, therefore, called for a healthy Police /Military /Civilian relation to ensure total victory in the war against the criminals in society.

It commended the Government and people of Ghana for remaining resolute in enhancing good governance; democracy; integrity; peace and social development in the country.

The Commission would continue to play a pivotal role to enhance good governance and entrench a democratic and human rights culture in Ghana, the statement said.