Amnesty Int’l to Tinubu: Stop harassing peaceful protesters!

Amnesty International Nigeria has, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, warned the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to stop repressing peaceful protesters.

Amnesty International made the statement in a publication on its website signed by its Director, Mr. Isa Sanusi.

Mr. Sanusi noted that from 1st to 10th August, nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests were met with a deadly crackdown.

The crackdown includes killings, brutalisations and mass arrests.

He noted that the Nigerian authorities have at times, labeled the protests as deliberate attempts to unleash violence.

The society watchdog urged the Nigerian authorities to end their repressive approach to peaceful protests.

It further told President to listen to critics, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in three decades.

The statement was dated October 2, 2024, and entitled “Nigeria: Repression of peaceful protest must end“.

Amnesty International’s Sanusi speaks up

Responding to the repression and arrests on 1 October during the #FearlessOctober peaceful protests against the cost-of-living crisis and bad governance, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria said:

“The Nigerian authorities must end their repressive approach to peaceful protests and listen to critics, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in three decades.

“Yesterday, people that turned out to peacefully protest were met with unnecessary and excessive use of tear gas and arbitrary arrests, especially in Abuja.

“Heavily armed security personnel barricaded spaces used for protests in many cities.

“Protest organizers were also arrested in Kano and Plateau.

“What happened on 1 October shows the Nigerian authorities are not relenting in their crackdown on dissent.

“Five protest organizers arrested in Kano are still held in an unknown location in Abuja, without access to lawyers or family, in utter disregard for their human rights.

“What happened on 1 October shows the Nigerian authorities are not relenting in their crackdown on dissent.”

“Using security personnel to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest”

The Amnesty International boss further lampooned the Nigerian government.

Sanusi urged it to stop using security operatives to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest.

He said: “The government must stop using security personnel to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest and pay attention to the real grievances that triggered the protests.

“Millions cannot afford food or the costs of healthcare and education. Many families are on the brink of starvation, while alleged corruption and mismanagement thrive.

“All government promises to address these issues have remained unfulfilled.

“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested before and during yesterday’s protests – including those arrested since the nationwide protests in August.

“The bogus charge of treason against some of the participants in the August protests must also be dropped.”

Reason for the protest

Amnesty International noted that Nigeria is battling a crippling economic crisis, with inflation on food hitting 36%.

The removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023 is driving many people into poverty, while officials have been accused of corruption.

“The Nigerian authorities must end their repressive approach to peaceful protests and listen to critics, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in three decades,” Amnesty urged.

Who is Amnesty International?

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people.

They are committed to creating a future where human rights are enjoyed by everyone.

It touts itself of being united by a shared humanity and knowing that the power to create positive change is with all.

It is funded by members and people from the society.

Amnesty claims to be independent of any political ideology, economic interest or religion.

It also claims to stand with victims of human rights violations whoever they are, wherever they are.

“No government is beyond scrutiny. We uncover the truth. We hold human rights violators to account,” Amnesty boasted.

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