We hope you won’t retaliate in kind – New Force begs Belgium, EU over mistreatment of spokesperson
The New Force political movement has urged Belgium, the home country of its deported spokesperson, Shalimar Abbiusi, and the international community not to retaliate against Ghana for Abbiusi’s severe human rights violations.
In a statement dated November 20, 2023, the movement condemned Miss Abbiusi’s arrest, confinement, and eventual deportation from Ghana, emphasizing how the entire process was marked by violations of her rights.
“The movement acknowledges the strain on her family and sympathizes with their aggrieved feelings over reported gross misconduct and malpractice by trusted officials. Shallie has since returned to the Kingdom of Belgium.
“The New Force, expresses our profound regret for the reported instances of abuse faced by Shallie, unwarranted detention for up to seven (7) days, the unwarranted search, and ransacking of her home.
“The New Force stands for the empowerment of people. Therefore, it deeply saddens us hearing the unsettling circumstances and experiences she had. Shallie’s impeccable conduct is a reminder to the international community about the importance of fully embracing human rights laws, democracy, justice, the presumption of innocence and the burden of proof even in difficult circumstances. An honourable life Is not lived without friction,” the statement.
While apologizing for the brutality meted out to Miss Abbiusi, the New Force encouraged Belgium, the European Union, and the world community not to retaliate, and also recommended that the Ghanaian government reassess its use of power in dealing with her case.
“We apologise for the disregard of international human rights laws in our Republic of Ghana.
“In a gesture of accountability, we extend apologies to the Kingdom of Belgium. the EU committee and the international community at large. We hope that you do not retaliate in kind. We hope that Ghana reconsiders their reported misuse of power for political interests and realigns herself with a robust legal framework that preserves our global standing as a country of justice and peace,” the group said.
Shalimar Abbiusi, a Belgian national who rose to prominence as the spokesperson for the New Force movement, was arrested and charged by the Ghana Immigration Service with making a false declaration in order to get a resident visa.
The state dismissed the accusations against her on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, following which she was re-arrested and deported from the nation.
According to the New Force, Shalimar’s role as the movement’s spokesman was based only on true passionate support for Ghanaians and what the organization stood for.
“The New Force is a grassroots movement that stands for a renewal and a rejuvenation for the people of Ghana. A young woman named Shalimar Abbiusi (Shallie), distinguished for her role as a TV presenter and for her compassion to the plight of Ghanaians, saw this movement and volunteered herself as our lead spokesperson.
“She was not born in Ghana: she chose to come here. She understood the preoccupation that her race might have, as one of our spokespeople. Accepting the possibility of public rejection, she was welcomed with open arms, into our community.
“Where we saw genuine, heartfelt support for our people, others saw subterfuge,” the group said.