Twelve international and Nigerian civil society organizations call upon the government of Nigeria to respect people’s rights to protest as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution and its international human rights obligations. The signatories, a coalition supported by CIVICUS global civil society alliance, condemn the violent repression of Nigerians' right to peaceful protest.
Nigerians, across the country, have been peacefully protesting under the #EndBadGovernance banner, demanding an end to rising poverty and inequality. The country has the highest number of poor people in the world, with 60 million people unemployed. The inflation is nearly 35%, and the currency value has halved in the past year.
President Bola Tinubu's call for a pause in protests as an “an opportunity for dialogue,” has not been backed up by an end to violent crackdowns on protesters. The government is accountable for guaranteeing people’s right to protest, safeguarding citizen rights, and any breach of these rights. Thirteen people have been killed, many injured, and hundreds have been detained, according to reports.
The fundamental rights of citizens to express themselves peacefully, come together and protest for their rights and wellbeing is granted under Section 39 of the 1999 national constitution. The government is bound by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
However, in response, the government has harassed protesters. Police have used teargas and live ammunition and placed cities like Kano and Borno under 24-hour curfews. The authorities have tried to discredit the citizens’ legitimate and peacefully expressed concerns.
The current government’s response parallels the brutal oppression of past civil protests between 1980-2020, aimed at holding the government accountable.
We demand that Nigerian authorities:
- Respect Constitutional Rights: Uphold the constitutional guarantees and duties related to the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of opinion and expression.
- Safeguard peaceful protesters: Police should facilitate safety, designate routes and provide adequate security for peaceful citizens as they express their demands.
- Honor international obligations: Comply with international commitments, including the ICCPR and the African Charter, and adhere to General Comment No. 37 and the “Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa.”
- Release those arrested for exercising the right to peaceful assembly: Immediately and unconditionally release all individuals arbitrarily arrested during the protests.
- Deliver justice for protesters killed or harmed: Provide reparations to those affected and their families. Set up an independent investigation and hold to account the perpetrators.
- Engage with protestors and citizens calling for change meaningfully: Address the demands of the #EndBadGovernance movement and engage in constructive dialogue.
We stand with the people of Nigeria as they exercise their right to peaceful assembly. We are committed to supporting the Nigerian people in their quest for justice, equity, and good governance.
Signed by:
Signatories are part of the WeRise coalition facilitated by CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance.
- Access Center for Human Rights
- Accionar - Mexico
- Acter
- Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)
- CIVICUS
- Forum Asia
- HopeBehindBars Africa
- HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement
- Lawyers Alert
- Salam for Democracy and Human Rights
- Talanta Africa - TA
- We Women Lanka Network
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Background information:
The importance of peaceful assembly:
Peaceful assembly and protest rights are a cornerstone of democracy. It allows citizens to express their views, hold leaders accountable, and advocate for change. The Nigerian government must protect this right and ensure that protests are met with understanding and dialogue, not violence and repression.
Protest issues and demands:
A large number of Nigerians are currently protesting against hunger, inflation, and the mismanagement of the nation’s resources. Protests and peaceful assembly are legal, constitutionally protected under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Protesters demand action on two critical issues:
- Rising Poverty: Nigeria's currency value has halved in a year, causing inflation to soar to a 28-year high of 35%. Food inflation is severe and over 60 million Nigerians are unemployed. Many international companies are leaving due to the harsh business environment, worsening the situation.
- Rising Inequality: Nigeria has the highest number of poor people in the world and inequality continues to worsen. Government policies have decimated the middle class, leaving the poor even poorer.
Government response:
Unfortunately, the Nigerian government has responded with not just intimidation, threats and propaganda but also, excessive force violating citizens’ rights. It flooded the streets with police to stop the protests and to suppress the people's fundamental rights.
From the anti-SAP protests of the 1980s to the #EndSARS movement in 2020, the government has resorted to threats, intimidation and excessive use of force that results in loss of lives as reaction to citizens right to protest.