Democracy Hub Protesters Petition CHRAJ
The Commission on Human Rights Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has been petitioned to look into the three-day protest and unfortunate events that characterized it by lawyers of the Democracy Hub, organisers of the protest.
The group is accusing the police of violating the rights and freedoms as they in engaged in unlawful arrest, unlawful detention, detention without food, and violation of the right to counsel, which amounts to unprofessional conduct.
They assert that the police violated Article 14, Article 21(1)(d), Article 13, Article 19(2)(e) and Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution, Section 6 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30) and Section 89 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
“The commission immediately takes steps, including legal action, to ensure that the violations cease and the police officers are dealt with by law.”
It added, “Per the preceding, we demand the Commission commence an immediate investigation to investigate the allegations.”
Forty-two protesters who joined the demonstration against illegal mining which started on September 21 and ended on September 23, were arrested by the police on the second day. In all 45 were arrested.
According to a statement by the police, the demonstrators unlawfully assembled at the 37 Intersection and attacked Police officers performing their lawful duties.
It said they entered a Police vehicle, removed the ignition key and threw it away, pushing down Police crash barriers, “obstructing traffic, causing unlawful damage, and disturbing the peace among others”.
So far 39 of them have been remanded into prison and police custody in Accra after they were arraigned on September 24. The court remanded 28 of them into Police custody and the remaining 11 into Prison custody.
While 30 of the accused persons are to reappear before the court on October 8, 2024, nine others are to appear before the court on October 11, 2024.
Read the Full Petition Here:
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
