FG’s repression of peaceful protests must end – Amnesty International

.Says FG should listen to critics rather than clamping down on peaceful protests

International non-governmental organisation focused on human rights, Amnesty International, on Wednesday, called for an end of what it described as the Federal Government’s repression of peaceful protests in the country.

Recall that youths gathered in some locations across the country on October 1 to draw government’s attention to the economic hardship, hunger and high cost of living being experienced by many Nigerians.

Tagged #FearlessInOctober protest, it was seen as a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance protests that held between August 1 and 10. However, there were reports that some of the protesters were tear-gassed as Nigeria marked its 64th independence anniversary.

But in a statement, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said the Nigerian government should listen to critics rather than clamping down on peaceful protests.

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He said: “The Nigerian authorities must end their repressive approach to peaceful protests and listen to critics, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in three decades. Yesterday, people that turned out to peacefully protest were met with unnecessary and excessive use of tear gas and arbitrary arrests, especially in Abuja. Heavily armed security personnel barricaded spaces used for protests in many cities. Protest organizers were also arrested in Kano and Plateau.

“What happened on 1 October shows the Nigerian authorities are not relenting in their crackdown on dissent. Five protest organizers arrested in Kano are still held in an unknown location in Abuja, without access to lawyers or family, in utter disregard for their human rights.

“The government must stop using security personnel to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest and pay attention to the real grievances that triggered the protests. Millions cannot afford food or the costs of healthcare and education. Many families are on the brink of starvation, while alleged corruption and mismanagement thrive. All government promises to address these issues have remained unfulfilled.

Sanusi called on the authorities to “immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested before and during yesterday’s protests – including those arrested since the nationwide protests in August. The bogus charge of treason against some of the participants in the August protests must also be dropped.”