CHRAJ chides gov’t for pampering military

Emile Short The Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has lambasted government over its failure to condemn in no uncertain terms alleged human rights abuses by the military. Commissioner Emile Short told Joy News the government must be bold enough to whip the military in line when they go overboard. His concerns come amidst reports of grievous human rights abuses by the military which led to the manhandling and stripping of two men naked in Bawku for allegedly shooting indiscriminately into the air. Not long after the Bawku encounter, the military and some police men were said to have gang raped two women in Nalerigu in Tamale, where they were detailed to maintain law and order after some residents went on rampage over the murder of one of a colleague. The incidents, especially the second, provoked a huge public outcry against the military. Upper East Regional Minister Mark Wayongo believes the continued vilification of the military could demoralize them which might engender ‘blood bath’ in the region. The vice president John Mahama in his goodwill message to the Moslems on the occasion of the Eid-ul Ad-har said the two incidents though regrettable must not be used to tarnish the hard won reputation of the military. He opined the behavior of some of the military must be borne out of frustration after what appears to be an endless effort to bring peace to Bawku. “The soldiers too have families and they have come to stay there interminably for years trying to resolve the conflict. Sometimes the frustration gets to them and they occasionally might behave out of context,” he said. He said investigations have begun, but warned the perpetrators of that crime to desist from acts that will defame the military. But CHRAJ appears not impressed with government’s reaction. Emile Short said government may appear to be condoning the embarrassing acts if it fails to condemn out rightly the reported cases of human rights abuses. “I think they need to be encouraged. They need to be given all the support, both logistics as well and moral encouragement that they need. But at the same time when they go overboard, it is incumbent on all of us in the public office to be able to draw their attention to those excesses and to ensure that they don’t happen. Otherwise it may appear to be condoning them. And I think that is wrong.” Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana