Uphold rights of all protesters — Groups urge judiciary

Thirty-seven non-governmental organisations, NGOs, have urged the Nigerian Judiciary and the National Human Rights Commission,

NHRC, to uphold the rights of all protesters and establish a mechanism to promptly address and dismiss oppressive charges that may arise from the forthcoming protests slated for Thursday.

In a joint press statement made available in Taraba on Monday, the group of NGOs reaffirmed the fundamental right of citizens to peaceful protest as a fundamental pillar of democratic governance.

“This right is a cornerstone of any democratic society and a critical means for citizens to express their dissatisfaction, demand accountability, and advocate for change,” they stated.

The organisations which collectively appended their signatures to the statement include 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative; Accountability Lab Nigeria; Africa Institute for Energy Governance, AFIEGO, Uganda; BudgIT Foundation; Centre for Accountability and Inclusive Development, CAAID; Centre for Inclusive Social Development, CISD; Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC; Dataphyte Foundation; DigiCivic Initiative; Enough is Enough, EiE; Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative, HEHRAI; and Hope Behind Bars Africa, among others.

Protest, according to them, is a legitimate form of expression enshrined in international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UDHR, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), among others.

They added: “It [protest] allows citizens to publicly voice their concerns, challenge injustices, and participate actively in the democratic process.

“Protests serve as a vital mechanism for holding leaders accountable and ensuring that government actions reflect the will and needs of the people.”

The group further noted: “History has shown that protests can lead to significant changes in government policies, processes and practices, highlighting the power of collective action to address grievances and promote good governance.

“While the right to protest is a fundamental principle of democratic nations, we concede that it must be exercised peacefully and responsibly without violating the rights of others.”

The NGOs urged all parties, including protest organisers, participants, and law enforcement agencies, to prioritise safety and the rule of law, stating that law enforcement must safeguard protesters while upholding public order.

They also urged protesters to avoid activities that might exacerbate tensions, cause unrest or threaten public safety.

“Attempts to suppress demonstrations through intimidation, excessive use of force, or unjust legal actions are unacceptable and counterproductive,” they warned.

“Every protest is deemed peaceful, and if intelligence indicates otherwise, it is the role of the appropriate government agencies to identify such saboteurs and arrest them immediately. Arresting protest organisers shows a lack of understanding of the enemies of the state,” they added.