The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the federal government and law enforcement agencies to recognize protests as expressions of fundamental human rights, urging them to stop criminalizing such actions.
Speaking at the commission’s dashboard presentation report for July and August 2024 in Abuja, NHRC Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu emphasized the importance of protecting the right to protest.
He urged all tiers of government to prepare for next month’s planned nationwide protest, advising against efforts to criminalize its organizers.
“The government has been given enough notice by the organizers, and it is the duty of law enforcement agencies to ensure strategies are in place to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the protest and giving it a criminalized image,” Ojukwu stated.
He also condemned the excessive use of force and violation of rights to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and assembly, particularly referencing the recent #EndBadGovernance protests held across the country.
Ojukwu expressed concern over the rising displacement crisis in Nigeria, highlighting that around 208,655 individuals in 22 states have been displaced so far this year, a significant increase compared to 2023.
“It is therefore imperative that government takes immediate and sustainable actions to address this pressing issue, ensuring the protection and well-being of all those affected by displacement,” he urged.
Presenting the NHRC’s July and August human rights assessment dashboard, senior Human Rights adviser to the NHRC Executive Secretary, Mr. Hillary Ogbona, reported that over 1,200 people who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests last month have been arrested and detained by security agencies across the country.
“Some of these protesters have been charged to court, but the commission is gravely concerned that they were detained beyond the period allowed by law before being taken to court,” Ogbona noted.
The NHRC dashboard also revealed that a total of 414,200 complaints of human rights abuses were received by the commission in the last two months.
Ogbona stressed that peaceful protest is not a crime, but rather a legitimate way for citizens to express their grievances against unfavorable government policies.
“Government should not attempt to stop protests but to guide them. At the same time, it should not lump genuine protesters with criminals. You don’t arrest and detain people for protesting,” Ogbona asserted.
“Looting and destruction of properties are not protest but acts of criminality, which should not be regarded as part of peaceful protests,” he emphasized.
