In response to nationwide protests in Nigeria over food shortages and the cost of living crisis, Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian authorities to uphold human rights and ensure the right to peaceful protest is respected.
Isa Sanusi, the Country Director of Amnesty International, made this appeal in a statement released on Thursday.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining the right to peaceful protest as per the country’s constitution and human rights treaties, Sanusi emphasized the need for security agencies to uphold and facilitate this right.
He cautioned against using the protests as a justification to violate human rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Sanusi stressed the importance of allowing people to freely exercise their rights to engage in peaceful protests.
Expressing concern over the recent arrests of individuals who allegedly supported the protests on social media, he criticized the authorities for their lack of tolerance towards peaceful dissent.
Given Nigeria’s current economic challenges, including a 36% inflation rate on food items, Sanusi called upon the authorities to address the root causes of the protests rather than suppressing peaceful dissent.
He reiterated the need for authorities to demonstrate their commitment to upholding the country’s constitutional and international human rights obligations by enabling individuals to freely exercise their rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
Scheduled for August 1-10, 2024, the nationwide protests have seen widespread use of social media for organizing and mobilizing participants.
While there are concerns of potential violence associated with the protests, Sanusi emphasized the importance of respecting the right to peaceful protest.