Democracy Hub members at a public protest
Democracy Hub has welcomed the Attorney General’s decision to drop charges against its conveners and members involved in protests against illegal mining (galamsey).
However, the group insists that the move does not absolve the state of its responsibility for human rights violations committed against peaceful demonstrators.
In a statement issued on Saturday, February 8, 2025, Democracy Hub described the Attorney General’s nolle prosequi as confirmation that their anti-galamsey protest was a legitimate exercise of their constitutional rights. Despite this legal victory, the group condemned the violent crackdown, illegal arrests, inhumane detention, and alleged torture suffered by some demonstrators at the hands of security forces.
“We refuse to accept this decision as the end of the matter. The violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, the illegal arrests, the inhumane detention conditions, and the torture and ill-treatment meted out to some of our comrades must not be forgotten,” they stated.
The group is demanding an independent and impartial inquiry into the abuses, stressing that officials within the Ghana Police Service, National Security, and other state institutions must be held accountable.
Democracy Hub also expressed gratitude to its legal team, Lawyers for Protest Defence, for their unwavering commitment to justice. The group acknowledged the support of Afrikki, the Economic Fighters League, and #FreeTheCitizens activists for standing in solidarity against what they described as repression.
While the charges have been dropped, Democracy Hub reaffirmed its commitment to fighting against galamsey and defending democratic rights in Ghana.
“The fight against galamsey is far from over, neither is the struggle to defend the fundamental rights of all Ghanaians. We remain resolute in our commitment to protecting our country’s environment, upholding democracy, and ensuring that no Ghanaian is ever punished again for demanding justice,” part of the statement reads.
