Attorney General and Minister of Justice Godfred Yeboah Dame has justified the prosecution of the Democracy Hub demonstrators.
At the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) annual conference in Accra on Tuesday, he made the statement that no democracy tolerated acts of violence or tension. The conference was focused on the theme of “Improving the Security and the Welfare of the Judiciary for Effective Justice Delivery.”
Thus, he warned that demonstrators would face the full force of the law if they went beyond the bounds of free speech and ignored their own and others’ safety.
“Respectfully, an unhealthy cycle in the life of the nation is occurring again. The drumbeats of violence, mayhem, incitement to violence and civil disobedience are being beaten and indeed, have gone a notch higher.
“There are attempts to create tension ahead of the elections and instil fear into people through demonstrations which, in some cases, are a ruse for mounting an attack on the security forces of our nation and disrupting the running of essential public services.”
“This, with the greatest respect, is not countenanced in any democracy. In any advanced democracy, when protesters exceed the limits of free expression and show disregard for their communities and the safety of their own lives and that of other members of the community (irrespective of the motives for the protests embarked on), they face the rigours of the law,” he stated.
Background
A peaceful protest turned violent between September 21-23 when demonstrators clashed with police. The GPS accused protesters of blocking roads, dismantling barriers, obstructing traffic, and burning properties at Accra’s 37 Roundabout. Currently, 53 protesters are remanded; 9 are in prison and the rest are in police custody.
The prosecution insists the accused were given the right care and refutes any allegations of abuse. Invoking severe circumstances, the defence attorneys requested release during the bail hearing.
The accused, according to the prosecution, was fed enough, including meals from the well-known neighbourhood eatery Papaye. Defence outcry ensued from this.
Citing worries about unidentified residences, the prosecution rejected bail. The judge remanded the demonstrators until October 8 after rejecting bail requests.
Transferred demonstrators showed their displeasure by chanting patriotic songs after the court sessions.
Source: Citinewsroom.com