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Amnesty International Urges Nigerian Government to End ‘Sham Trials’ of #EndBadGovernance Protesters
Amnesty International has condemned the planned mass trial of hundreds of protesters arrested during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests held between August 1 to 10, 2024, demanding that the “blatantly trumped-up charges filed against them must be immediately withdrawn.”
In a statement issued Monday, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, criticised the Nigerian government’s handling of the situation, accusing the government of unrelenting efforts to punish protesters and demonize protests.
In a related development, the Coalition for Democratic Accountability and Electoral Reform (CODER), a civil rights groups championing for justice and electoral reforms has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to free all those being detained for peacefully advocating for an end to bad governance.
CODER described the detention of protesters as a blatant violation of their fundamental human rights and a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices.
A statement signed by the national chairman of CODER, Chief Peter Ameh urged the administration to address the systemic issues that led to their protests, including corruption, inequality, and social injustice.
Further according to the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, the Nigerian authorities have an obligation to uphold and protect fundamental human rights, urging the federal government to end what it described as mockery of the rule of law.
He stated that instead of investing in desperate attempts to punish dissent, the government should listen to critics, address rampant insecurity, corruption and mismanagement.
“Giving more attention to rescuing millions of Nigerians from the brink of starvation should be the top priority of government, not punishing protesters.”
On its part, according to CODER, “We, as concerned citizens of Nigeria, write to express our outrage and deep concern about the unjust detention and the unfair trial of prisoners of conscience, journalists, and protesters who have been peacefully advocating for an end to bad governance and seeking a better Nigeria for all citizens.
“Their detention is a blatant violation of their fundamental human rights and a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices. It is unacceptable that your administration continues to trample on the rights of citizens who are demanding a more just and equitable society.
“We demand that you take immediate action to release these detainees and drop all charges against them. We also call on your administration to address the systemic issues that led to their protests, including corruption, inequality, and social injustice.”
Ameh said that the continued detention of these individuals is a stain on Nigeria’s democracy and a betrayal of the trust placed in government as source of sincere representation.
He further stated: “We expect a more robust response to these grievances and a commitment to upholding the rights of all citizens.
“The right to protest is a fundamental human right recognized under various international and regional instruments, United Nations Charter (Article 20): recognizes the right to peaceful assembly and association, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 21): protects the right to peaceful assembly.
“African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Article 11): recognizes the right to freedom of assembly and socialization and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“(Section 40): guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association and also the combine reading of section 39 and 41.
“These instruments acknowledge the importance of protest as a means of expressing grievances, promoting accountability, and advocating for change.
“From all indications your administration has failed to respect these principles and authorities in the engagement with peaceful protesters.”
Wale Igbintade and Onyebuchi Ezigbo
