About 32 people who joined the Democracy Hub’s #StopGalamseyNow demonstration have dragged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare and the Attorney General (AG), Godfred Yeboah Dame to the Human Rights Court.
The applicants include lawyer and social media influencer Elorm Ababio popularly known as Ama Governor and convener of the #FixTheCountry, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
The group has alleged violations of their rights as protesters following their arrest during the demonstration between September 21 and 23, 2024.
They have accused the Ghana Police Service of unlawful arrests, detentions, and a refusal to grant bail, stating it undermines citizens’ rights to peaceful protest.
In the affidavit, the applicants assert that the Ghana Police Service’s conduct during the protest breached multiple international and constitutional provisions, including Article 21(d) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of assembly and association.
They are demanding several key reliefs including the declaration that the conduct of the Ghana Police Service in disrupting the peaceful protest violated Article 21(d) of the 1992 Constitution.
The protesters are also seeking a declaration that denying the Applicants basic necessities while in detention violated their right to human dignity as enshrined in Article 15 of the 1992 constitution.
“A declaration that the detention of some Applicants for more than 48 hours before bringing them before a court violated their rights under Article 14(3)(b) of the 1992 constitution.
“A declaration that the force used by Respondents on Applicants was excessive, unreasonable and unjustifiable,” portions of the application read.
It added, “An order directed at the Respondents to pay to the Applicants compensation for unlawful and unwarranted breach of the Applicants’ fundamental human rights as well as the cost of legal fees.”
The suit comes in the wake of a three-day demonstration against illegal mining and also to demand the release of the 53 protesters remanded to prison and police custody for two weeks.
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Below is the application: