PHILIP GHUTILIEBS AND GHANA POLICE SERVICE

INTRODUCTION In his complaint dated 31st May 1999 the Complainant prayed the Commission to investigate instances of unhealthy conditions in the Ghana Police cells, (especially the Striking Force Unit) which violate the human rights of the inmates. COMPLAINANT’S CASE The Complainant stated that he was arrested and detained at the cells of the Police Striking Force Unit, on the 13th May, 1999. Whilst there, he discovered that the conditions in the cell rooms were un-inhabitable and the continuous keeping of the inmates in there amounted to violation of their human rights. The Complainant made particular references to the following: 1. Over-crowding of inmates, to the extent that some have to stand over night; 2. Poor sanitary facilities; 3. Detention of people beyond 48 hours; 4. Abuse of Power, in the sense that some detainees are there over extremely trivial offences, which do not warrant their detention 5. Lack of props ventilation; 6. Refusal of inmates to contact r.....