A coalition of 67 civil society organisations has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to put an immediate stop to the intimidation, harassment, and threats against Amnesty International Nigeria by the Nigeria Police Force.
In a joint statement, the organisations voiced their alarm over what they described as a growing pattern of repression targeting human rights activists, journalists, and citizens exercising their right to peaceful protest.
The groups condemned the police’s alleged campaign of suppression, which includes threats of legal action against Amnesty International following its critical report on the government’s handling of the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests.
The statement highlighted the violent crackdown on protesters, during which the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported that 27 people were killed, while around 800 were arrested across the country. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, added that over 2,000 protesters were detained, many of whom remain in custody without charges or trial.
Police Deny Accountability
The organisations criticised the police for failing to take responsibility for their actions, accusing them of targeting Amnesty International instead of addressing the alleged abuses.
“The police should be investigating these grave allegations of human rights violations and ensuring justice for the victims and their families,” the statement read. “Instead, they are threatening and intimidating an organisation that is simply documenting the truth.”
The groups also referenced a letter dated January 6, 2025, in which the police demanded a retraction of Amnesty International’s report, “Nigeria: Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests.”
Impact on Civil Space
The coalition expressed concern that the harassment of Amnesty International is part of a broader crackdown on civic space, which includes targeting organisations like SERAP and other human rights defenders.
“This intimidation undermines the ability of activists, journalists, and civil society groups to carry out their legitimate work,” the statement said. “It also demonstrates a worrying disregard for Nigeria’s obligations under the Constitution and international human rights treaties.”
Call to Action
The organisations demanded that President Tinubu take immediate steps to:
- End the police harassment of Amnesty International and other human rights defenders.
- Establish an impartial and independent investigation into the alleged human rights abuses during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
- Ensure justice for victims and their families, including adequate compensation.
- Create an environment where civil society organisations and individuals can freely exercise their rights without fear of reprisals.
Solidarity with Amnesty International
The coalition reaffirmed its support for Amnesty International and called on the government to allow the organisation to carry out its work without interference.
“We stand in solidarity with Amnesty International and other defenders of human rights. The ongoing crackdown must end, and the government must respect the rule of law and democratic principles,” the statement concluded.
Signatories
The joint statement was endorsed by a diverse group of organisations, including Accountability Lab Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Media Rights Agenda, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and Yiaga Africa, among others.
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Chronicles Reporters