Establish violent support fund - Court tells Gov't

13:08 - 17 March 2017

___6385847___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___6385847___2017___3___17___14___Court-gavel

This formed part of a judgement delivered by the court in a suit where a private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, prayed the court for a directive to the government, to fully comply with the domestic violence act passed a decade ago.

The Human Rights division of the High Court has ordered the government to establish a domestic violence support fund to provide free medical care for domestic violence victims.

The judge, Justice Anthony Yeboah, was unhappy that the Attorney General failed to appear in court.

In his ruling, he said he was however compelled to deliver judgement because the case was mainly on the fundamental human rights of citizens and public interest.

The court, however, stayed the enforcement of the order for 6 months, pending service on the State, and also the proper budgetary allocation for the implementation of the order.

Lawyer Martin Kpebu filed the application at the Human Rights division of the High court seeking an order of the court to compel the State to provide free medical care for victims of domestic violence.

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According to the applicant, section 8(3) of the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732), mandates the State to provide free medical care for victims of domestic violence.

Mr Kpebu further stated that section 29 of the same (Act 732) demands that a domestic violence support fund is set up to provide basic material support for victims of domestic violence and to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate victims of domestic violence.