Youth for Human Rights Africa (YoHRA) has lauded renowned Human Rights Lawyer and Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency, Honourable Francis-Xavier Sosu Esq for his courageous legal action demanding justice for some anti-galamsey protestors.
In a statement issued by the organization, YoHRA applauded Hon. Sosu for initiating a human rights lawsuit against the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General.
“Youth for Human Rights Africa (YoHRA) commends Human Rights Lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu for commencing a Human Rights action Against the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General on behalf of the 32 Democratic Hub Protestors who were reportedly subjected to various Human Rights violations during their recent peaceful demonstration against the harmful impact of illegal small-scale mining locally known as Galamsey”.
Youth for Human Rights Africa (YOHRA)
YoHRA strongly condemned the conduct of the Ghana Police Service, describing it as a blatant affront to the human rights guaranteed to all citizens under the Constitution.
In particular, the organization emphasized the violation of the Right to Peaceful Assembly, enshrined under Article 21(1)(d) of the 1992 Constitution, which protects the freedom of individuals to assemble and demonstrate.
The group further highlighted the police’s failure to respect the protestors’ Right to Legal Counsel and Fair Treatment, as stipulated in Article 14(2) and (3), as well as protections against arbitrary arrest and detention under Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Safeguarding Citizens’ Freedom Enshrined in the Constitution
The youth-focused human rights organization also called on the courts to ensure the full protection of human rights through the Rule of Law, urging that the judiciary play a crucial role in safeguarding the democratic freedoms enshrined in the constitution.
“It is important that we use all democratic and lawful means to protect the human rights of all citizens,” the statement said, encouraging the courts to uphold the principles of justice and fairness.
YoHRA’s statement further implored the Ghana Police Service to respect constitutional guarantees, reminding the service that Ghana, as a democratic nation, is bound by laws that prioritize the rights of its citizens.
The organization also urged Ghanaians to continue exercising their democratic rights to demonstrate but within the boundaries of the law.
The statement concluded by expressing the organization’s support to all Ghanaian citizens, saying “YoHRA continues to stand in solidarity with all those advocating for the respect of Human Rights and a Free, Fair, and Just society”.
This development adds to the growing chorus of civil society voices demanding accountability from law enforcement agencies over their handling of public protests, particularly those that address contentious political and environmental issues like illegal mining.
The Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency and human rights, Hon. Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu Esq., recently filed a legal action against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General (AG) on behalf of 32 protesters, alleging violations of their constitutional rights.
The lawsuit challenges the treatment of the protestors, who were advocating against the devastating environmental and social impact of Galamsey.
The protestors allege that they suffered arbitrary arrests, detentions, and a denial of their right to peaceful assembly—actions which several groups have argued are a clear breach of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and international human rights standards.
The actions of the Ghana Police Service have repeatedly come under scrutiny, with some local and international observers calling for reforms to ensure that the rights to free expression and assembly are upheld in practice, not just on paper.
The recent demonstration by the Democratic Hub was aimed at drawing attention to the devastating effects of illegal small-scale mining, which has wreaked havoc on Ghana’s environment, particularly water bodies and agricultural land.
Despite years of government efforts to combat Galamsey, it remains a critical issue, with illegal miners continuing to operate with impunity.
The protestors sought to challenge both the practice itself and the government’s handling of the issue, which many believe has been ineffectual.
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