CDD-Ghana on why it disagrees with why police arrested Democracy Hub protesters

The Ghana Center for Democratic Development has condemned the Ghana Police Service over what it describes as unlawful arrest and detention of some Democracy hub protesters over the weekend.

The protest, meant to highlight issues on illegal mining turned chaotic and confrontational with the police.

As a result, 39 people were arrested and they have since been arraigned and remanded into custody.

CDD-Ghana in a statement issued on Thursday September 26, rebuked the police for their high-handed approach, accusing the police of breaching constitutional provisions that guarantee protest rights and due process in arrest.

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Attached is the full statement from CDD-Ghana:

CDD-GHANA CONDEMNS ABUSE OF DUE PROCESS IN THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF PROTESTERS BY THE POLICE 

The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) strongly condemns the unlawful tactics employed by the Ghana Police in the recent arrest and detention of some 40 citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest over the weekend.

 These individuals were demonstrating against critical national issues, including the rising incidence of state capture, widespread corruption, and the unchecked illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) that is devastating the country’s water bodies.

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 Alarmingly, the police also arrested ordinary bystanders who were merely going about their daily activities. 

CDD-Ghana is particularly concerned about the Ghana Police Service’s repeated use of excessive and illegal control tactics, especially when dealing with young protesters.

 These actions undermine both the letter and the spirit of Article 14 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. 

Specifically, the Center condemns the following actions: 

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1.The unnecessary manhandling and brutality of citizens exercising their civic and political rights to protest. 

2. The refusal by the police to release the complete list of arrested individuals. 

3.The ongoing denial of access to legal counsel for detainees, in direct violation of Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution, underscores the situation's urgency. 

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4.The failure to notify lawyers of the detained individuals before their arraignment before the Circuit Court. 

5.The unlawful transfer of detainees from police cells to prison without court approval. 

6.The prolonged detention of protesters beyond 48 hours without being brought before a competent court violates Article 14(3) of the 1992 Constitution. 

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7. The continued denial of access for family members to meet with their detained relatives. 

These actions violate the detainees' fundamental human rights and undermine the rule of law in Ghana’s constitutional democracy. 

Such misconduct erodes public trust in our legal system and public institutions. 

In this regard, CDD-Ghana calls for the immediate observance of fair and due process for all detainees and strict adherence to the rule of law.