Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has “strongly
condemned reported violent attacks on #RevolutionNow protesters in
Abuja, Osogbo, and other parts of the country. The government of
President Muhammadu Buhari must end the use of excessive force against
protesters, and allow people to peacefully exercise their human rights.”
The Department of State Services today reportedly arrested Olawale
Bakare and six other #RevolutionNow protesters wearing orange-colored
caps around Olaiya area of Osogbo, Osun State capital. Several
protesters were also arrested by the police and the Nigerian Army in the
Abuja metropolis.
In a statement today by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the
organization said: “By failing to adequately protect protesters from
violent attacks, Nigerian authorities have blatantly violated their
obligations under the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”
“Nobody should be arrested or subjected to torture and ill-treatment
simply for taking part in peaceful protests. The authorities should stop
criminalising peaceful protesters.”
“Rather than suppressing peaceful protests, the authorities ought to
protect peaceful protesters and ensure a safe and enabling environment
for people to exercise their constitutionally and internationally
guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
“SERAP urges the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release
all those arrested, promptly investigate attacks on protesters, and
identify security agents suspected to be responsible and bring them to
justice.”
“Nigerian authorities need to take seriously the protesters’
socio-economic grievances, including by immediately taking measures to
genuinely fight grand corruption, and improve access of Nigerians to
basic public goods and services.”
“SERAP urges the international community including the UN Human Rights
Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the
African Union and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to
publicly condemn attacks on peaceful protests and to put pressure on the
Nigerian authorities to effectively investigate attacks on protesters,
prosecute perpetrators and to respect and protect the human rights of
everyone.”
“Nigerian constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a
state party guarantee the rights to liberty and security of person,
freedom from arbitrary detention, freedom of expression, and the right
of peaceful assembly.”
“The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law
Enforcement Officials prohibit the use of excessive force against
peaceful protesters.”