CSOs to judiciary: Uphold rights of protesters, dismiss potential oppressive charges

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have asked the judiciary to throw out potential oppressive charges against protesters. 

A nationwide protest against economic hardship is slated to begin on August 1.

The CSOs include 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO) Uganda, BudgIT Foundation, Centre for Accountability and Inclusive Development (CAAID), Yiaga Africa and 31 others.

In a statement on Tuesday, the organisations said protesting is a cornerstone of any democratic society, adding that history has shown that protests can lead to significant changes in government policies, processes and practices.

“Protesting is a legitimate form of expression enshrined in international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), among others,” the statement reads.

“It allows citizens to publicly voice their concerns, challenge injustices, and participate actively in the democratic process.”

The CSOs urged the judiciary and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to “uphold the rights of all protesters and establish a mechanism to promptly address and dismiss oppressive charges that may arise from these protests”.

The organisations said while the right to protest is a fundamental principle of democratic nations, it must be exercised peacefully and responsibly without violating the rights of others.

“Accordingly, we urge all parties engaged, including protest organisers, participants, and law enforcement agencies, to prioritise safety and the rule of law,” the statement reads.

“Law enforcement has a duty to safeguard protesters while upholding public order.

“Demonstrators must avoid activities that might exacerbate tensions, cause unrest or threaten public safety.

“Attempts to suppress demonstrations through intimidation, excessive use of force, or unjust legal actions are unacceptable and counterproductive.

“Every protest is deemed peaceful, and if intelligence indicates otherwise, it is the role of the appropriate government agencies to identify such saboteurs and arrest them immediately.

“Arresting protest organisers shows a lack of understanding of the enemies of the state.”