Amnesty International Ghana is demanding a full-scale independent investigation into the alleged police manhandling of protesters arrested during the recent Democracy Hub demonstration against galamsey.
The human rights organization fears that the continuous abuse of citizens during protests will further deepen the already shrinking civic space before, during, and after the upcoming general elections.
Speaking to Citi News, Country Director of Amnesty International Ghana, Genevieve Partington, called for a review of laws regarding protests in the country to ensure that the rights of citizens are not infringed.
“We are requesting a list of all detained protesters and where they are stationed so we can be granted access to them, so they receive the necessary care and basic human rights. We are also appealing that all who were unlawfully arrested be compensated according to the law of Ghana.”
More members of the Democracy Hub, including activist Felicity Nelson, are to remain in police custody overnight after their hearing was adjourned by Circuit Court 6.
The court postponed the session until Thursday, September 25, to give the prosecution time to respond to the defendants’ bail applications.
This latest development brings the total number of remanded protesters to 53, all of whom were arrested during demonstrations that took place between September 21 and 23.
The protests, organized by Democracy Hub to oppose illegal mining (galamsey), led to violent confrontations between demonstrators and the police at the 37 Intersection in Accra.
“That an independent investigation on this matter be immediately conducted and actions taken to ensure that such injustice and inhumane treatment to citizens of the Republic of Ghana does not happen again.
“It’s time the government took these issues seriously and ensured law and order as we approach the elections in December”, Genevieve Partington added.
She particularly called for a review of the Public Order Act of 1994 (Act 491).
