EC CHRAJ JS NCCE NMC Budget 109,200,000 n.a 50,384,000 7,858,000 2,125,000 Releases 109,200,000 2,699,000 34,455,000 17,902,690 9,332,600 over 2010 704.1 -26.4 22.5 181.6 shortfall 0 -31.6 127.8 -56.1 Source: EC, CHRAJ, JS, NCCE and NMC, 2011 OBJECTIVE 4: PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS The promotion of cultural, civil and political liberties ensures that the integrity and rights of the people are respected by the state. The state should also take the necessary steps to protect citizens’ rights from violation either by its agents and/or a third party. This objective is underpinned by the principle of ensuring that the will of the people constitutes the basis of authority of the government. Consequently, the objective attempts to measure the vibrancy and influence of civil society. 2.13 Promotion of Rights Ghana has signed/ratified key United Nations human rights treaties and conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). 2.13.1 Freedom of Expression The 2011 District Governance Report indicated that majority of Respondents (93 percent of males and 76 percent of females) were able to freely express themselves without fear of intimidation or assault. The Report also notes that increasingly, Ghanaians have indicated that this freedom is being whittled away by the Police who under section 208 of Sixth Annual APRM Progress Report: January – December 2011 28