THE NATIONAL Democratic Party wishes to express its utmost concern about the arrest and detention by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) of its Founder and Former President, Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings.

A significant number of Party functionaries and executives in the Ashanti Region have also been arrested. These are in addition to interrogation of the Party’s First Vice-Chairman, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya by the CID.

The arrests and interrogations followed party political activities involving the exercise of freedoms of association, speech and movement. We should point out that these are rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The Party holds the government responsible for the safety of the former President during the period of detention.

In the meantime, we urge government to realise that diversity and plurality of opinion are the bedrock of democracy. Attempts to foist a one-sided view of democracy are doomed to failure.

The NDC affirms unflinching support for its Founder and comrades; and draws attention to the widespread use of state security agents to terrorize law-abiding citizens as well as to set up and frame them.

When one citizen is unjustly attacked by over-mighty men in society, the freedom of all citizens is threatened.

We must all resolve to call a wrong-headed government to order.

Party officials will address a press conference at Party Headquarters today.