‘What we think of calls for Amnesty International to leave’

There was a recent call by some groups who demonstrated outside Amnesty International’s Abuja office requesting the organisation to leave the country. Daily Trust Saturday sought the views of some Nigerians on the incident. Mr. Monday Osasah, 50, Acting Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Abuja It is uncalled for. Amnesty International […]

There was a recent call by some groups who demonstrated outside Amnesty International’s Abuja office requesting the organisation to leave the country. Daily Trust Saturday sought the views of some Nigerians on the incident.

Mr. Monday Osasah, 50, Acting Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Abuja

It is uncalled for. Amnesty International has been very concerned about the spate of insecurity and human rights violation in the country. I think it is in the country’s interest that they be allowed to act accordingly as far as they do not violate the laws of the land.

Mr. Tunde Salman, National Coordinator, Good Governance Team (GGT), 42, Abuja

I don’t share the idea of ‘kicking out’ Amnesty International from Nigeria. I can understand the concern of government, but international human rights groups like AI amplify the voices that say things should be done in accordance with due process of law even in the context of growing security challenges facing the country. Even in combat operations, there are always rules of engagement, and once this is violated independent voices must be raised to call attention to disproportionate use of force. To this end, silencing or blackmailing such voices of reason should be stopped. I would however advise AI to always give government the opportunity to take corrective measures before going public with its dossiers.

Mr. Namse Peter Udosen, 38, Teacher, Kaduna

The calls are unnecessary for now. The major problem is that our organizations in Nigeria don’t keep empirical records or pay attention to data, so foreign bodies tell us what goes on in our country. Sometimes, of course, they are biased. Every International body has its interests. We have to be able to match their information with our own superior data.

Mr. Chikezie Chiedu, 38, Publisher, Onitsha

The groups calling for the exit of Amnesty International certainly suffer from complete amnesia. With the benefit of hindsight, it is crystal clear that AI was one of the major agencies that fought the Abacha junta and made sure we have the democracy we are enjoying today.

Mr. Austin Aigbe, 41, Senior Programme Manager, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja

It is not the first time that such a call would be made. The Nigerian Army in recent times called for a ban of the organization in the country after AI reported that thousands were killed in inter-ethnic conflict, with a map showing how it spread across Nigeria from January 2016 to October 2018.

Those calling for AI to leave Nigeria are anti-democratic and anti-human rights. We must understand the role of organizations like AI in the country. It adds value to a country’s human rights image, and of course its reputation.

In 2009, AI examined the oil spills, gas flaring, waste dumping and other environmental impacts of the oil industry in the Niger Delta, which raised global attention to the situation in the area. In that report, they claimed the Nigerian government was aware of the risks that oil-related pollution poses for human rights but has failed to take measures to ensure those rights are not harmed. Despite the widespread pollution of the Niger Delta’s land, rivers and creeks and the many complaints from people living in the region. This prompted government’s response which led to the clean-up of the area. Today, the Niger Delta area is better off, though not at the clean destination.

The call for AI to leave is therefore to hurt investigations into the human rights situation in the North-East and across the country. The organization has raised several concerns about internally displaced persons (IDPs). They have called on government to respect the rights of people. I think the call is an attempt to thwart the organization’s work in the country and their ability to investigate alleged human rights abuses taking place. Nigerians should engage the government to improve the human rights reputation of the country and commit to prosecuting persons evidently undermining the human rights of all Nigerians.

Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, 32, Head of Communications, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Abuja

It is worrisome that a legally registered organisation that advocates for human rights with majorly Nigerian staff would be asked to vacate the country by some unpatriotic people. This move is unacceptable, condemnable and should be rejected by well-meaning Nigerians. What has Amnesty International done to deserve such threat, just because it demands accountability in governance?

Mr. Gimba Kakanda, 34, Public Affairs Commentator, Abuja

There is no call by Nigerians for Amnesty International to leave the country. That so-called protest at its office by some people was a stage-managed show by the government. We are only lucky that Amnesty International is a reputable international organization, their employees would have long been behind bars as was the practice in recent years. This is the colour of justice in Buhari’s Nigeria at the moment, and all human rights bodies are right to be alarmed and subscribe to the mass campaigns for adherence to rule of law. Amnesty International has persistently stood with the people of Nigeria in their agitations for a freer society, as seen in the draconian clampdowns on the Shiites, the SARS brutality, the excesses of Nigerian soldiers and politicians, among others. So it’s untrue to say that these people whose rights and interests the organization has projected and defended, want it to leave. I know a sponsored protest when I see one. Amnesty International isn’t a state actor, it does not owe the government neutrality in its domestic affairs. It’s here to monitor and amplify violations of citizens’ rights, and so it’s only understandable for those at the receiving end to perceive their method of operation as partisan. But I approve of this ‘partisanship’ if it’s a fancy word for choosing the side of the Nigerian people.