Amnesty International Demands Tinubu Government Listen to Citizens, End Repression of Peaceful Protests

Global human rights organization, Amnesty International has called on the Tinubu government to listen to the demands of Nigerian citizens and put an end to the repressive tactics being used against peaceful protesters.

This was made known by the organization’s Director in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, in a statement where he condemned the repression and arrests that occurred on October 1st during the #FearlessOctober protests.

The protest aimed at addressing the cost-of-living crisis and poor governance in Nigeria.

Nigeria is currently facing its worst economic crisis in decades, with millions of people struggling to afford basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and education. The situation has been further exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, which has led to inflation rates skyrocketing to 36%.

The crisis has pushed millions of Nigerians into poverty and has had a significant impact on the country’s economy. Inflation has made it difficult for people to purchase essential goods and services, and the depreciation of the naira has made it harder for businesses to operate.

Amnesty International called on the Nigerian government to address the underlying issues driving the protests instead of resorting to repression.

The organisation notes that people have the right to express their discontent peacefully and that the authorities have a responsibility to facilitate and protect this right.

The statement partly reads: “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 organisers 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 organisers 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.

“The Nigerian authorities must 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.

“From 1-10 August nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests were met with a deadly crackdown; including killings and mass arrests. The Nigerian authorities have, at times, labeled the protests as deliberate attempts to unleash violence.”

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