COVID-19: Amnesty asks FG to consider releasing old, sick prisoners

Amnesty International (AI) has asked the federal government to consider releasing prisoners at risk of the coronavirus, including sick and old inmates.

Osai Ojigho, AI country director in Nigeria, also called for the immediate release of “prisoners of conscience” to decongest correctional facilities across the country.

Ojigho, in a statement on Thursday, added that there must be alternatives to detaining people to curb the spread of the virus.

“Nigeria must urgently adopt a strategy for the protection of the rights of people deprived of their liberty, including through addressing overcrowding in prisons through the immediate and unconditional release of prisoners of conscience, reviewing decisions to retain people in pre-trial detention and adopting alternatives to detention, and considering the early or conditional release of people at risk such as older people and those with underlying medical conditions,” she said.

The amnesty director also cautioned against the abuse of power in enforcing the lockdown in some states, adding that the rights of citizens must be protected.

She said the curfew must have a human face to enable people to have access to vital needs and relief.

“”We are also concerned by reports and videos circulating on social media showing violations of human rights, that include  beatings by law enforcement agencies tasked with ensuring compliance with the lockdown,” she added.

“The Nigerian authorities must adopt a rights respecting approach and give clear instructions to security agencies not to abuse their powers as the nation tightens its effort to tame the COVID-19 pandemic, which compelled the authorities to impose lockdown and inter-state movement restrictions.

“As the nation observes the 14-day lockdown, the rights of citizens must be respected and protected, including the right to health care, security, and access to sufficient food and water. The lockdown must have a human face.”

As of Wednesday night, Nigeria recorded 174 cases of the coronavirus across 12 states and Abuja.