#EndSARS: 51 CSOs decry threats against Amnesty International

The Community of Practice Against Mass Atrocities, the Global Rights and 49 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria and across Africa have condemned the renewed attacks on Nigeria’s civic space, and in particular, on Amnesty International’s Nigeria staff and offices. This was contained in a jointly signed statement, which also said that a group, which […]

The Community of Practice Against Mass Atrocities, the Global Rights and 49 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria and across Africa have condemned the renewed attacks on Nigeria’s civic space, and in particular, on Amnesty International’s Nigeria staff and offices.

This was contained in a jointly signed statement, which also said that a group, which self-identified as ‘Abuja Indigenous People’, on October 19, 2020, threatened to attack #EndSARS protesters in the nation’s capital.

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According to them, there was also the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) led by a “Princess Ajibola”, which on November 4, 2020, threatened to attack Amnesty International’s (AI) offices and staff in Nigeria over their documentation of the attack on peaceful protesters at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, and issuing them a seven-day ultimatum to leave the country.

They said that specifically, the group stated that “Amnesty International’s offices and those of all its affiliated organisations and known supporters in Nigeria will be set up on the same way that “its agents destroyed critical assets in the country.”

“We are particularly concerned about the regular threats and attacks on Amnesty International’s Nigeria office and staff for exposing human rights violations within the country.

“Rather than treat them as partners in ensuring an orderly, democratic society built on the ethos of the protection of the rights and dignity of all citizens, the government and nameless groups clearly enjoying the protection of the government and its agencies, have sought to attack the organization and its staff through a sustained campaign of intimidation,” they said.

They, therefore, demanded that the federal government investigates the threats to the staff and facilities of AI in Nigeria; and provide them with adequate security.

They also asked the government to immediately remove the unlawful no-fly list designed to deny the constitutionally protected right of freedom of movement of persons whom the government linked to the #EndSARS protests and to unfreeze their accounts.