Human rights advocate, Francis-Xavier Sosu has asked the combined team of military and police personnel fighting the menace of illegal mining in the country, to use lawful means in enforcing the laws.
The call follows media reports of the military brutality of some suspected illegal miners leading to burning of some mining equipment and alleged assault of some suspects.
Mr. Sosu in an interview with Myjoyonline.com said: “we cannot break aspects of the same laws we seek to enforce.”
“Whilst I fully support the anti-galamsey campaign, I believe the said campaign must be done in accordance with law,” he added.
He further argued that all suspects remain suspects and must be subject to fair trial as prescribed by Article 19 of the 1992 Constitution.
“They have right to counsel, right to be heard in a court of competent jurisdiction, right to personal dignity and above all right to life.”
Lawyer Sosu, who is currently in New York for an International Human Rights Conference, is also President of a Human Rights Project called the Youth for Human Rights Africa.
He has vowed to use all available opportunities to ensure that the task force operates within acceptable limits within a free and democratic society like Ghana.
He reminded the State that it has a duty under Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s rights, to protect life and property and guarantee the right to fair trial.
He called on the Ministry of Defense and all collaborative agencies to ensure that further operations of the task force will not result in loss of life and property.
