Amnesty Demands Probe into Arrests of Democracy Hub Protesters

KEY POINTS

• Amnesty International calls for an independent investigation into protester arrests in Ghana.
• Concerns were raised over the police’s use of excessive force against demonstrators.
• CDD-Ghana demands reforms to protect young protesters’ rights.

Amnesty International Ghana has strongly urged an independent investigation into the recent arrests of protesters from the Democracy Hub.

These demonstrators were protesting against the practice of the ‘galamsey’, irresponsible mining in Ghana, which has been ruining the environment. The protests that took place resulted in the arrest of approximately 40 citizens raising police questions brutishly.

According to a report by MyJoyOnline, Genevieve Partington, Director of Amnesty International in Ghana was worried over the treatment received by the protesters. She said even if the police alleged that the demonstrators were unlawful in their actions, their rights have to be protected. Partington especially underlined the need for transparency, she requested the list of detainees and their locations.

Calls for legal reforms

Partington also asked the Government of Ghana and other political authorities to critically review the Public Order Act of 1994 (Act 491) which gives the Police immense control over protests.

As for her, the law becomes the primary problem and it is the common rule that certain agencies misuse their power and authority in protesting events. “There must be an investigation,” she said, adding that such actions are required to stop further abuses and to achieve justice for those people who have been illegally detained.

Amnesty also demanded that the arrested should be paid an adequate amount as compensation as per the laws of Ghana. The organisation aim to get justice for those protesters who have been treated unjustly and monstrously by the authorities.

Concerns over police conduct

However, besides Amnesty’s call, other opinions were also expressed, the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), actively condemned the mass protest, and, also, accused the police of using unlawful operations during the protesters’ actions.

Michael Augustus Akagbor, a Senior Programs Officer at CDD-Ghana noted his disappointment in how the police handle young protesters. He said this is mostly done with the police’s intention of teaching young protesters a lesson, with little regard for their rights.

Akagbor affirmed that CDD-Ghana will continue to campaign for reforms so that such actions and the right to protest are not violated in the future.