2021 saw a worrying rise in executions and death sentences as some of the world’s most prolific executioners returned to business as usual and courts were unshackled from Covid-19 restrictions, Amnesty International said today in its annual review of the death penalty. At least 579 executions were known to have been carried out across 18…
The Nigerian authorities must impartially and transparently investigate disturbing threats to the lives of Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer Abba Hikima – as the trial continues – in which Sokoto state government is charging Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff with the “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance” for criticizing the governor of Sokoto state…
Amnesty International today submitted a legal filing to the Pre-Trial Judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on behalf of several victims’ networks, to request an end to the ICC Prosecutor’s indefinite and unfathomable delay to the start of the court’s investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Nigeria. In December 2020, the ICC Prosecutor concluded that…
Nigerian police used excessive force against protesters during the nationwide #Endbadgovernance demonstrations between 1-10 August, killing at least 24 people in the states of Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Niger, Amnesty International said in a briefing published today. “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #Endbadgovernance Protests” documents the violent crackdown on peaceful protests…
We, the undersigned civil society organizations and individuals, urge President Bola Tinubu’s government to immediately end the intimidation and harassment of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), an independent anti-corruption watchdog, and cease the escalating crackdown on human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and other civil society actors simply for carrying out their legitimate work.…
The authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) must end ongoing forced evictions and provide support to communities already rendered homeless. The recent forced evictions in and around the FCT rendered over 20,000 families homeless. On 6 November, the Federal Territory Administration’s Special Task team “Operation Sweep” demolished the Ruga community in Abuja, destroying hundreds of…
Responding to the resumed trial of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said: “The 114 protesters arraigned today at the Federal High Court, Abuja, have done nothing unlawful and do not deserve the horrifying treatment they have endured since their arrest. Among the 76 protesters arraigned…
The Nigerian authorities must address human rights violations by the police to effectively end years of atrocities that emboldened impunity and left many Nigerians vulnerable to the horrifying abuses that triggered the nationwide #EndSARS protests exactly four years ago. Amnesty International continues to receive – almost daily – reports of human rights violations by the…
Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) must immediately withdraw its bogus defamation lawsuit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Amnesty International said today. Amnesty International last month condemned the intimidation and harassment of SERAP by the DSS as part of the growing trend by the government of President Bola Tinubu to stifle dissenting…
Amnesty International is deeply concerned about alleged reports of plans by the Nigerian authorities to arrest human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore upon his return to Nigeria. Omoyele Sowore is being targeted simply for peacefully exercising his human rights. The government of President Bola Tinubu must publicly commit to allowing Sowore and other Nigerians…
Responding to the invasion of the Abuja office of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said: “Amnesty International received a disturbing report of the unlawful invasion of the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by operatives of the DSS. President Bola Tinubu is going…
Responding to the unlawful arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services (DSS), Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said: “Amnesty International strongly condemns the unlawful arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services…
Responding to the planned mass trial of hundreds of protesters arrested during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests between 1–10 August, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said: “Some of the charges to be filed against the protesters, ranging from treason, which carries the death penalty, to allegations of a ‘plan to destabilize Nigeria,’ show how…