Ghanaians have been urged to study and observe the fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution to protect their rights from being trampled upon with impunity by others. The Techiman Municipal Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Mr Kwasi Asante-Boateng, made the call at a seminar on torture at Techiman. The one-day seminar, which was under the theme: "Ghana at 50, let's speak with one voice against the perpetrators of torture and who suffer at their hands", was organized by the Coalition of African NGOs against torture. About 200 participants from decentralized organizations, Non Governmental Organizations and the media attended the seminar. The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims of Denmark sponsored it. Mr Asante-Boateng reiterated the provision in Article 15 clause 2 of the constitution, saying no person "shall whether arrested, restricted or detained be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". He said it was an abuse of basic human rights and torture for a person to be put in police cells for more than 48 hours without being granted bail, which was considered as torture. "Such persons should be immediately informed in a language of their choice the reason for their incarceration", Mr. Asante-Boateng added. Mr Nurudeen Mohammed Ibrahim, secretary-general of the Coalition of African NGOs against torture and a research fellow, commended the United Nations General Assembly for proclaiming June 26 every year as the UN International Day in support of victims of torture. He expressed concern about the perennial congestion in the country's prisons and police cells, saying the situation made torture a common feature. He appealed to the government to ensure that the domestic violence law curtailed spousal torture and violence in homes. Mr Gabriel Benakuu, Executive Director of Mission of Hope for Society Foundation, an NGO, said more than 1,720 children were reportedly engaged in child labour in Brong Ahafo, particularly at Yeji, due to parental irresponsibility. Mr Davis Boama Asumadu, Executive Director of Ahenbronoso Care Foundation, called on community and opinion leaders to help in the fight against human rights abuses in their communities. Source: GNA