Ahead of planned nationwide protests slated for Monday, 7 April 2025, in response increasing clampdown on freedom of expression through the manipulation of the draconian Cybercrimes Act, Amnesty International’s Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, said:
“The Nigerian authorities must ensure that security agencies respect and facilitate the right to peaceful protest, as guaranteed by both the country’s own constitution and human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. Government officials must also refrain from issuing rhetoric aimed at demonizing protesters and stifling peaceful dissent. The planned protest should be an opportunity for authorities to listen to the voices of the people and uphold freedom for all.”
The planned protest should be an opportunity for authorities to listen to the voices of the people and uphold freedom for all
Isa Sanusi
“Authorities must not use the proposed nationwide protests as a ploy to crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. People must be allowed to freely exercise their right to peaceful protest. Any act capable of undermining freedom of assembly is illegal and portrays unacceptable intolerance of peaceful dissent.”
“Authorities must show a commitment to upholding the country’s constitutional and international human rights obligations by allowing people to freely exercise their human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.”