As the national protest against economic hardships begins, Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian government to safeguard the rights of demonstrators participating in the #EndBadGovernance movement.
In a statement on Wednesday, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International’s Nigeria Director, emphasized that the government and security forces should uphold the right to peaceful protest, as outlined in Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights agreements such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
He stressed that officials should avoid rhetoric that undermines the legitimacy of protesters and suppresses peaceful dissent.
Sanusi also cautioned against using the protests as an excuse to infringe upon human rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
He pointed out that recent arrests of individuals supporting the protests on social media indicate a lack of tolerance for dissent.
He urged the government to address the root causes of the protests, such as the rising cost of living, rather than increasing repression.
The economic crisis in Nigeria, marked by a 36% inflation rate on food and worsened by the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, is deepening poverty and affecting access to healthcare and education.
The Nigerian authorities have labeled the protests, scheduled for August 1-10, as attempts to provoke violence.
