-Upholding Human Rights
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ruled that the rearrest and detention of Shalima Abusi, spokesperson for the New Force, on December 19, 2023, was an unlawful violation of her liberty.
The court awarded her US$10,000 (approximately GH₵160,000) in compensation for the infringement of her rights.
This decision accents the court’s commitment to protecting individual freedoms within the region.
In its ruling, the court asserted its jurisdiction over the case and determined that Abusi’s rearrest violated Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees the right to liberty and security.
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The case was presented by Abusi’s legal representatives, led by Francis Xavier Sosu and Lawyer Belinda Narkey Quaynor.
Mr. Sosu, after the ruling, said “I feel vindicated that the ECOWAS Court has protected the rights of Shalima.”
Abusi’s rearrest and subsequent deportation drew widespread condemnation and was deemed inconsistent with international legal standards.
The judgment reinforces the commitment of ECOWAS member states to uphold the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It sets a vital precedent for ensuring that state actions do not unlawfully infringe upon individual rights.
Human rights organizations have welcomed this decision as a step forward in promoting justice in West Africa.
Shalima Abusi and her legal team expressed satisfaction with the ruling, describing it as a triumph for justice and human rights in the region.
The ECOWAS Court’s ruling is expected to inspire further advocacy for human rights protections across member states.
