Ecowas Court Orders Compensation for Violations Against Shalimar Abbiusi
The New Force has secured a landmark victory in the ECOWAS Court, which ruled in favour of the Movement in a human rights case against the Republic of Ghana. The court found that Ghana violated the rights of New Force spokesperson Shalimar Abbiusi through wrongful arrest, rearrest, and illegal deportation in December of 2023, causing severe harm to her personal and professional reputation.
The court determined that Ms. Abbiusi’s rearrest by the Ghana Immigration Service and subsequent deportation breached Article 6 of the Liberty of People. This abuse of power, coupled with an initial wrongful arrest and detention despite charges being dropped, painted a troubling picture of human rights violations and political suppression.
The court mandated that the Ghanaian government compensate Ms. Abbiusi for the violations. Hon. Francis-Xavier Sosu, Esq., who led her legal defence alongside Lawyer Belinda Narkey Quaynor, expressed gratitude for the decision.
“We feel vindicated that the ECOWAS Court has protected the rights of Shalimar,” he remarked.
The New Force stated in a press release that the actions of Ghanaian authorities highlight “a troubling pattern of abuse of power by government officials aimed at suppressing political dissent.” In their statement, the Movement reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring fairness and justice across African nations and urge the Ghanaian government to “respect human rights and uphold the rule of law, as guaranteed by our Constitution.”
The New Force also appealed to civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and the international community to join in condemning these abuses and supporting efforts to foster accountability and transparency in governance.
Human rights protection, a cornerstone of the New Force’s “12 Pillars for Economic Freedom,” was reaffirmed through this ruling. The New Force emphasizes that safeguarding individual freedoms is essential for building inclusive societies and achieving true economic liberation.
Source: The New Force
