…. Warns Protesters against acts of violence
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the Federal and state governments to refrain from any action targeted at abridging the rights to peaceful assembly and association.
The warning is against the backdrop of the scheduled October 1st protests by Civil Society Groups.
In a statement on Monday, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, also charged the protesters to abide within the ambit of law and shun acts of violence.
According to Ojukwu, “The right to peaceful assembly is the cornerstone stone of our liberty and an essential instrument for promoting the values of democracy and good governance. Protests are legitimate means of voicing dissatisfactions and participating in shaping citizen-centred governance and development outcomes.
“The State has obligations to facilitate peaceful assemblies. This includes ensuring safety, providing necessary infrastructure, and taking measures to prevent disruptions from counter-demonstrators or hostile forces.
“Government should provide adequate protection for protesters against violence or intimidation as well as facilitate peaceful assemblies through appropriate measures.
Government must put in place effective Accountability Mechanisms for holding the law enforcement and security agencies accountable for any abuses committed during protests.”
On the other hand, he maintained that the protesters must conduct themselves with decency saying: “Exercise your right to peaceful protest within the ambits of the law, be very civil and respect the rights of others.
“Avoid violence, destruction of property, and harmful behaviour, this is detrimental to nation building, the destruction caused may take fortune to regain which will be a great set back to our development.
“Cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety by conducting yourselves with highest sense of modesty and civility.
“Refrain from hate speech and divisive rhetoric, abusive words and foul language.
“Respect the rights of others, including those who may hold differing opinions, that is the beauty of democracy and Ensure that your actions do not infringe on the rights of non-protesters, as everybody must not be on the street protesting.”
Ojukwu assured that NHRC would be monitoring the protests across Nigeria and will ensure that state and non-state actors violating the right to protests and other associated human rights will be held accountable.
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