Nigeria’s director of Amnesty International, Mr Isa Sanusi, has said there has not been any reasonable progress in human rights protection under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He stated this during an interview with DW Hausa on Sunday.
Sanusi anchored his argument on the government’s failure to probe past human rights violations and its ineffective response to ongoing abuses.
Also, the Amnesty International chief berated the government’s reliance on dishing out press statements in response to such incidents, adding that it is just the recycling of the past administration’s ineffective approach.
He said, “Honestly, there is no any light, it is rather fear. Firstly, the current administration hasn’t shown any commitment to investigating past human rights abuses.
“Secondly, at the start of this administration, at least 200 people were killed, the government’s response to human rights violations under the current president mirrors the lacklustre approach of the previous administration, relying solely on issuing statements. This lack of action fuels my pessimism regarding any meaningful progress.
Speaking further, Mr Sanusi noted that Nigeria’s history is replete with human rights violations, beginning from colonial rule to the Biafra War, with violations on high scale.
He added, “Many people fail to take legal action when their rights are violated. While seeking justice can be difficult and resource-intensive, it’s crucial to remember that we are ultimately responsible for fighting for our own rights; no one else will do it for us.
“It’s essential to stand up for ourselves. When a police officer or soldier abuses you, pursue all legal avenues to seek justice. Similarly, if a community’s rights are violated, the villagers should unite and seek legal action. Silence and the belief that justice is divine intervention embolden perpetrators. We must not allow this to continue.
“If someone goes to a village and kills 100 people, it’s imperative for the affected community to collectively approach the government house and demand justice. They should remain in the house until those responsible are held accountable.”
