Protests: Global Rights lampoons FG over alleged human rights violations, abuses

By Ukpono Ukpong

Global Rights has once again called on the Nigerian government to respect its citizens’ right to protest and to desist from actions that exacerbate tensions among protesters nationwide.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Abiodun Baiyewu, the organisation also urged protesters to remain law-abiding and peaceful.

The statement was prompted by the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, which have swept across Nigeria since August 1.

Baiyewu expressed deep concern over the numerous human rights violations and abuses linked to these protests, citing the overzealousness of law enforcement agents.

“Our core concern is the overzealousness of Nigerian law enforcement agents to unlawfully arrest and intimidate peaceful protesters,” Baiyewu stated.

She condemned the deployment of teargas and live ammunition in Lagos, Abuja, Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Nasarawa States, labeling these actions as highly condemnable and inconsistent with international human rights standards.

Baiyewu emphasised that lethal force should only be used as a last resort when other de-escalation tools have failed.

She stressed that the primary focus of law enforcement during peaceful protests should be to protect the protesters as they exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

“It is unconscionable for them to stand idly by while thugs threaten protesters and journalists covering the protests,” Baiyewu added, highlighting the role of law enforcement in safeguarding all participants and observers of the protests.

The statement also addressed the rise of hate speech in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protests. Baiyewu noted the alarming increase in ethnic vitriol, particularly against the Igbos, who have been threatened for participating in the protests in Lagos State based solely on their ethnicity.

“We are equally concerned about the #EndBadGovernance protests being used as a basis to engage in hate speech. We have observed the vitriol against certain ethnicities, in particular, the Igbos, who were threatened against participating in the protests in Lagos State solely on the grounds of their ethnicity. Social media recorded the frequent use of the hashtag #SendIgbosHome, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). This divisive hashtag reechoes the ethnic profiling and hate speech that were propagated in Lagos around the 2019 and 2023 general elections.

“This sort of divisive and hateful rhetoric is a threat to the social cohesion of the entire country. Relying on S45(1) (a) and (b) which limit the freedom of expression in the interest of public safety and order, and Section 24 (1) (b) of the The Cybercrime Act, 2015; we call on law enforcement agents to investigate and apprehend the purveyors of this form of ethnic profiling and hate speech, and for all Nigerians call out and immediately demand accountability of those who promote such hateful and divisive language.”

Global Rights called on law enforcement agents to investigate and apprehend those responsible for ethnic profiling and hate speech. Baiyewu urged all Nigerians to call out and demand accountability from individuals promoting such hateful and divisive language.

The statement further highlighted the significant difficulties Nigerians in major city centers have faced in accessing the internet. Baiyewu referenced Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Nigeria has ratified, emphasizing that access to the internet is a fundamental right in the 21st century.

Baiyewu expressed skepticism towards the government’s claim that it did not instruct telecommunication companies to throttle internet access. She pointed to the 2021 Twitter ban as evidence of the government’s tendency to restrict freedom of expression and information.

Global Rights called on the Nigerian government to cease hindering internet access and to focus instead on addressing the underlying issues of insecurity and inflation driving the protests.

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Baiyewu stressed that addressing these root causes would be a more effective way to quell the unrest.

Moreso, Baiyewu reaffirmed Global Rights’ commitment to promoting citizens’ rights to participate in their governance and their right to dissent.

She urged all parties to engage peacefully and respectfully and promised that Global Rights would continue to monitor the protests and demand accountability from all involved.