The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland to sanction Nigeria over attacks journalists covering the #EndBadGovernance protest across Nigeria.
SERAP also urged Scotland to use the Commonwealth Charter to press the Nigerian authorities to promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently, and effectively investigate reports of attacks on journalists covering the protests in Nigeria and on peaceful protesters.
In a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare on Sunday, SERAP equally urged Scotland to press the Nigerian authorities to publish the outcome of any investigation, hold suspected perpetrators to account, and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for the affected journalists and peaceful protesters for any violations of domestic law and international standards.
SERAP urged Scotland to press the Nigerian authorities to uphold the rights of journalists to monitor and report on protests, ensure their safety, and ensure that journalists are not detained, threatened, attacked, or restricted when covering noteworthy events of public interest, such as protests.
In the urgent appeal dated August 3, 2024, SERAP stated that the targeting of journalists with lethal or less-lethal force for doing their work is prohibited under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law, and is contrary to best law enforcement standards.
SERAP said: “Those violating such standards must be subject to accountability and disciplinary processes.
“The Commonwealth should take a clear stand to ensure accountability of institutions, media freedom, and peaceful assembly in Nigeria.”
READ ALSO: We can’t reverse progress, Tinubu tells Nigerians
The urgent appeal, copied to Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Mr Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, read in part:
“The Nigerian authorities over the years have repeatedly demonstrated that they are not committed to protecting human rights.
“Respect for Commonwealth values is essential for citizens to trust Commonwealth institutions.
“The Commonwealth ought to take a strong stand for the protection of human rights and media freedom in Nigeria, principles which are fundamental to the Commonwealth’s integrity, functioning, and effectiveness of its institutions.
“Nigerian authorities have the legal obligation to protect journalists reporting the news, including covering protests. Nigerian authorities also have an obligation to investigate and punish any violation that occurs within the framework of a public demonstration, including attacks on the press.
“The Commonwealth Charter and declarations recognise media freedom and the inalienable right of individuals to participate in democratic processes, in particular through the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly, access to information, and media freedom, which apply both offline and online.”
Similarly, SERAP added that any peaceful protesters and journalists detained solely because of their exercise of the right to peaceful assembly and covering the protests should be immediately and unconditionally released.
“Law enforcement officers should only resort to force in ‘exceptional’ circumstances. Any use of force must only be the minimum amount necessary, targeted at specific individuals, and proportionate to the threat posed.
“The restrictions on the use of force, including against journalists covering protests, are even more important when security agents use lethal force such as firearms.
“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, contain language protecting the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
“Nigerian authorities have the obligation to consistently promote a culture of accountability for law enforcement officials during protests. Any use of force must be investigated to determine whether the force was necessary and proportionate,” SERAP noted.
The statement added that Nigerian authorities have an obligation to investigate effectively, impartially and in a timely manner any allegation or reasonable suspicion of unlawful use of force or other violations by law enforcement officials in the context of protests.
Credible News.ng
