'Shoot to kill' idea a flagrant abuse of human right – Pratt

The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt, has described Joseph Osei Owusu’s “Shoot to kill” comment as a violation of the Constitution and a flagrant abuse of human rights.

The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joseph Osei Owusu who is also the Member of Parliament for Bekwai Constituency, proposed the joint military and police anti-galamsey task force fighting illegal mining in various parts of the country embraces a shoot-to-kill approach in dealing with illegal miners destroying the country’s water resources.

He hinted that he would have issued a directive to that effect if he had the power.

In an interview with Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive, Kwesi Pratt mentioned that the "shoot to kill" mentality is no different from the “lynch-mob” mentality and attack meted unto the late Major Mahama.

“It is surprising to see high profile persons ,supporting this shoot to kill idea, something which is a clear violation of the constitution and an abuse on the fundamental Human rights of citizens. You do not have to be near or far to know that this is an abuse.”, he reiterated.

He added that although the the galamsey menace is worrying, shooting the herds men is not a solution.

Kwesi Pratt asked Ghanaians to condemn the shoot to kill idea from all angles.