The New Force political movement has hailed the ECOWAS Court’s ruling in favour of their spokesperson, Shalimar Abbiusi. The court affirmed that the Republic of Ghana violated her fundamental rights in a controversial deportation case.
The court’s decision follows what it described as a series of unlawful actions, including Ms Abbiusi’s wrongful arrest, her rearrest by the Ghana Immigration Service, and subsequent deportation to Belgium. These actions were deemed violations of Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees liberty and security of the person.
In addition to declaring these actions unlawful, the ECOWAS Court ordered the Ghanaian government to compensate Ms Abbiusi for the infringement of her rights.
In a press release issued on November 22, 2024, The New Force celebrated the court’s decision as a major step forward in promoting justice and democratic accountability in Ghana.
“The New Force is pleased to announce a significant victory following the recent ruling by the ECOWAS Court, which confirmed that the Republic of Ghana violated the rights of our spokesperson, Shalimar Abbiusi. This ruling underscores our commitment to justice and accountability in a democratic society.”
“The New Force is dedicated to ensuring that laws are upheld fairly across all African nations, advocating for the rights of individuals regardless of their background. We urge the Ghanaian government to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law, as guaranteed by our Constitution. The actions against Ms Abbiusi exemplify a broader issue of political persecution that threatens the foundations of democracy in Ghana,” portions of the statement read.
Ms Abbiusi, a Belgian citizen and spokesperson for The New Force, was initially arrested on allegations of obtaining a student permit under false pretences. Although the charges were later dropped, she was rearrested by immigration authorities, detained without justification, and deported in December 2023.
Her legal team argued that her treatment constituted political persecution aimed at silencing dissent rather than enforcing legitimate immigration rules.
The ECOWAS Court’s ruling vindicated this position, finding the actions of Ghanaian authorities to be in breach of fundamental human rights.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
