Challenging Heights, a non-governmental organisation has condemned the clash between some military officers and alleged illegal miners at the premises of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mines leading to the loss of over eight lives with many sustaining injuries.
A statement sighted by Citi News and signed by Advocacy Officer Emmanuel Annobil, condemned the act while calling for a commission of inquiry into the military brutalities to ensure justice is served.
“We are disappointed that the victims of this regrettable incident have been labelled as thugs or illegal miners when proper investigations have not commenced. These are matters of human and environmental rights and must be dealt with properly. It is obvious that mining is fast becoming a national security threat and it is high time the government deals with it.
“A commission of enquiry will be more transparent and set out modalities for mining communities to follow to ensure that the incident that happened will not repeat itself,” Emmanuel Annobil Advocacy Officer for Challenging Heights noted.
The Advocacy Officer noted that over the years mining communities across the country continue to be impoverished as human rights abuse of local people persists.
While admitting that mining companies are permitted by law to operate, it is also said it’s incumbent upon them to respect the rights of the communities they operate while taking into consideration their environment.
“We support the call made by the government for AngloGold Ashanti to foot the medical bills of the affected victims. We are also happy that the government has called for investigations into the matter to ensure that justice is served,” the Advocacy Officer said.
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