Yemi Obafemi
Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the decision of the federal government to charge those who protested widespread poverty to court describing it as absurd and baseless.
Th group is calling for an end to these endless bizarre attempts to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest.
The was disclosed in a statement by the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, released on Monday,
According to the group, some of the charges which carries death penalty show how far the Nigerian authorities can go in manipulating the criminal justice system to silence critical voices.
The statement reads: “Amnesty International condemns the sham trial of the protesters even before it began, and calls for an end to these endless bizarre attempts to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest. The unfair trial is only a disguised exercise solely aimed at punishing dissenters.
“Some of the charges to be filed against the protesters, ranging from treason, which carries the death penalty and allegations of ‘plans to destabilize Nigeria,’ show how far the Nigerian authorities can go in manipulating the criminal justice system to silence critical voices.
“The Nigerian government has been wrongfully placing priority on punishing protesters, without saying even a word on the urgent need to impartially investigate the killing of dozens of protesters across Kano, Katsina, Suleja/Tafa, Jigawa and Maiduguri.
“These attempts by President Bola Tinubu’s government to charge those who protested widespread poverty and rampant corruption with treason is beyond absurd and baseless.
“Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters arraigned nationwide today are only going to be subjected to another round of the government’s unrelenting efforts to punish protesters and demonise protests.”
The group is also demands immediate and unconditional release of protesters detained during the protests
“What is going to happen to these protesters—who took to the streets last month seeking good governance—is a disguised exercise solely aimed at punishing dissenters.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested from 1 to 10 August for exercising their right to peaceful assembly, instead of resorting to putting them through an unfair trial just to unlawfully justify detaining them.
“The Nigerian government has been wrongfully prioritising the punishment of protesters, without even addressing the urgent need to investigate the killing of dozens of protesters across Kano, Katsina, Suleja/Tafa, Jigawa, and Maiduguri,” Sanusi remarked, adding that many protesters had faced “other horrific violations by security personnel, including excessive use of force and misuse of tear gas.
“Since the arrests of the protesters, Amnesty International has been receiving disturbing reports of the violation of the rights of those detained, including denial of access to family, legal assistance, and medical care where needed.
“We urge the Nigerian authorities to end this mockery of the rule of law. The authorities must uphold and protect fundamental human rights,” Sanusi emphasised.
“Instead of investing in desperate attempts to punish dissent, the government should listen to critics and address rampant insecurity, corruption, and mismanagement. Giving more attention to rescuing millions of Nigerians from the brink of starvation should be the top priority of the government, not punishing protesters.”
