Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on
both President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo
to “urgently instruct appropriate authorities to promptly and thoroughly
investigate apparently sponsored and coordinated attacks against Amnesty
International Office in Nigeria, and ensure the safety and security of its
staff.”
It would be recalled that a group of protesters yesterday barricaded the
Abuja office of Amnesty International and asked the international
organisation to quit Nigeria within 24 hours.
But in a statement today signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale,
the organization called on Buhari and Osinbajo to “act swiftly to end the
increasing and apparently sponsored attacks, intimidation, harassment and
threats against Amnesty International Office in Nigeria and its staff. Any
failure to hold to account those who may be responsible will invariably
increase the vulnerability of civil society in the country, and strengthen
the perception that attacks against NGOs and human rights workers can
happen with impunity.”
The statement read in part: “If the Buhari government does not take all
necessary measures to immediately end the mob attack on Amnesty
International or any other civil society group for that matter, SERAP will
be compelled to take appropriate legal action nationally and
internationally including approaching the UN Special Rapporteur on the
situation of human rights defenders for a remedy.”
“SERAP will continue to work to challenge any attempt to restrict, silence
or eliminate the voices of credible civil society in the country. We urge
the presidency to speak out strongly against intimidation and harassment
of Amnesty International Office in Nigeria and its staff. Investigating
the attacks against AI, naming and shaming the sponsors and bringing them
to justice will send a powerful message of protection and support to civil
society groups who stand up to speak truth to power.”
“Any attack on Amnesty International Office in Nigeria or harassment and
intimidation of its staff members is an assault on the entire human rights
community in the country. Sponsoring protests against NGOs that have shown
astonishing courage in their human rights work hurt those most in need,
undermine access of Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses
to justice, and contribute to a culture of impunity of perpetrators.”
“This government has an obligation to support and protect civil society
groups and human rights defenders against violence and sponsored attacks.
Nigeria is a democratic society and the government can’t just sit back and
watch reprisals, threats and increasing hostility to Amnesty International
in particular and the NGO community in general.”
“Under the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and international
human rights law, everyone whose rights are violated is entitled to a
right to an effective remedy. Exposing human rights violations and seeking
redress for them is largely dependent on the degree of security enjoyed by
civil society groups and human rights defenders. Protecting NGOs against
sponsored attacks and ending impunity for such attacks is therefore a
critical element in the promotion and protection of human rights in this
country.”
“While some may not like to hear some of the things Amnesty International
has said, this in no way justifies this kind of mob attack on its office
and staff members. The authorities should show commitment to protecting
the right to freedom of expression and guarantee conditions for civil
society to flourish.”