Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to address the underlying issues driving the #EndHunger protests rather than resorting to repression and stifling peaceful dissent.
The protests, sparked by escalating food prices and a deepening cost of living crisis, are set to take place nationwide from August 1 to August 10.
Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International’s Nigeria Director, emphasized the importance of respecting the right to peaceful protest, as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution and international human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Sanusi urged government officials to refrain from demonizing protesters and using the protests as an excuse to crack down on human rights.
Sanusi stated, “Authorities must not use the proposed nationwide protests as a ploy to crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“People must be allowed to freely exercise their right to peaceful protest. The arrests of at least three people last week for allegedly supporting the protests on social media show the authorities’ intolerance of peaceful dissent.
“The escalating price of food is driving millions of people in Nigeria deeper in poverty while countless families are increasingly unable to afford the costs of healthcare and education.
“The Nigerian authorities must begin seriously address the underlying issues driving the protests instead of ramping up repression and stifling peaceful dissent.
“Authorities must show the commitment to uphold the country’s constitutional and international human rights obligations by allowing people to freely exercise their human rights including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association,” he added.
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The current economic crisis in Nigeria, with food inflation rates reaching 36% and the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, has pushed millions deeper into poverty, with many families struggling to afford healthcare and education.
Amnesty International urges the Nigerian government to address the economic challenges fueling the protests and to uphold its constitutional and international human rights obligations by allowing citizens to freely exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
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