AMNESTY INT. DAMNS GHANA *Over divisive & abusive politicking & Social tension

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL has sounded a note of caution to the effect that in an election year, Ghanaian politicians must strive to eschew negative utterances on political campaign platforms and rather engender peace and unity in the interest of the nation.

The country director of AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (GH), Mr. Lawrence Amesu said, human rights violations and other forms of abuse inclusive of which are ethnic conflicts characterized by heartless killing of innocent citizens, burning down of property and abduction of minors “are unwarranted atrocities”.

Equally worrying according to him “are the recent and continuous butchering of spouses and other individuals including chiefs who are revered in the Ghanaian society” adding that, absolute peace can be achieved only if Ghanaians eliminate the main weapons of destruction –human rights violation and other abuses.

The Country Director urged media personnel to be very wary of such politicians and rather focus attention on political platforms that address issues of peace, unity and development.

Mr. Amesu noted that it doing so, the media will be contributing immeasurably to the promotion of human rights and the preservation of peace in these difficult times.

He made these observations at the official launch of the 2012 Amnesty Int. Report in Accra last Friday.

Identifying some violations and abuses, in the country, he mentioned violence and unlawful killings by the state apparatus, institutionalized injustice in our justice system, the continuous retention of the Death Penalty in Ghana's status books, violation of citizens' housing rights, perpetuation of violence against women and children and open antagonism without cause among others.

The 2012 Amnesty International makes it clear that if not addressed this worrying situation could be detrimental to society and ultimately erode gains made in raising our human rights record and consequently, the peace and stability the nation has maintained over the years will perish.

The Report captures global human rights situation as recorded over the year 2011 and covers a range of human rights abuses from domestic violence through brutalities which often result in mass fatalities.

The Report is intended to inform the world about the continuous human right abuses in our societies to enable all peace inclined people to rally round and to fight and eliminate such societal mishaps.

The Chapter on Ghana's human rights situation in 2011 as contained in the report acknowledges the significant progress the country has made and continues to make in promoting human rights.

The Report was formally launched by Mr. Vincent Adzahlie-Mensah, Ghana-Amnesty Int. (Gh).

By Rowland Phillips-Addo