News:
May 31, 2021
Lawmakers in the fifth Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, have questioned the human right record of Guinea Bissau as they presented their country report on Saturday, May 29, 2021.
According to most contributors after the country report was presented by Mr. Califa Seidi, the details sent shivers through them.
They said kidnapping, intimidation, harassment of journalists, arbitrary arrest and assault which is abuse of human rights had been carried out and wanted to know from Guinea Bissau delegation what exactly is the situation currently.
Other MPs were also worried over the closure of boarder between Guinea and Guinea Bissau.
A member of the Guinea Bissau delegation, Marciano Indi in his contribution noted that his human rights was violated, and he was harassed. Though he drew the attention of ECOWAS Parliament to these happenings, nothing was done.
In response to questions raise by his colleagues, leader of the delegation, Califa noted that with human rights abuses, the situation has been so since 2020 into 2021, and it is major concern for those in opposition and government but previously that practice did not exist.
Other MPs from Guinea Bissau who responded to the questions asked by their colleagues pointed out that the closure of boarder between Guinea and Guinea Bissau has to do with the bad blood that exist between presidents of both countries.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com/Abuja