Civil Society Organisations(CSO) in Nigeria have thrown their weight behind peaceful protest by citizens, saying that it’s a fundamental human right and pillar of democratic governance.
Youth in the country have set August 1st, 2024 as a day to begin protest over what they term End Bad Governance, hoping to put an end to hardship, also demanding for the reintegration of fuel subsidy, removal of high electricity tariffs, amongst others.
On the day he was sworn in as President of the country, President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy. This has led to price hike in basic amenities that include food stuffs, transportation, electricity and others.
“Right (to protest) is a cornerstone of any democratic society and a critical means for citizens to express their dissatisfaction, demand accountability, and advocate for change, a statement released by the CSOs read.
“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.
“It allows citizens to publicly voice their concerns, challenge injustices, and participate actively in the democratic process”, the statement added.
While revealing that protests serve as a vital mechanism for holding leaders accountable and ensuring that government actions reflect the will and needs of the people, the CSOs added that history has shown that protests can lead to significant changes in government policies, processes and practices, highlighting the power of collective action to address grievances and promote good governance.
However, it said that 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.
The statement urged all parties engaged, including protest organisers, participants, and law enforcement agencies, to prioritise safety and the rule of law. 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.
“We urge the Nigerian 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 demands include reducing the cost of living, curbing insecurity, reducing the cost of governance, electoral reform, judicial reform, and constitutional reform, which are all recurring themes in Nigeria’s journey towards a healthy democracy.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the principles of democracy and human rights and stand in solidarity with those who decided to exercise the right to peaceful protest. We encourage all citizens to actively participate in shaping a just and accountable society, and we call on all stakeholders to uphold the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law”, the statement concluded.
Signatories to the released press briefing 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), Centre for Inclusive Social Development (CISD), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Dataphyte Foundation, DigiCivic Initiative, Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, Farnnel Women Foundation and Gee Foundation for Social Justice and Development.
Others include Global Rights, Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative (HEHRAI), HIFWAC Relief, Hope Behind Bars Africa, Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation ( ISDF), International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), International Press Centre (IPC), Invictus Africa, Kilimanjaro Youth Foundation, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Mothers United and Mobilised, Nigeria Network of NGOs, Paradigm Initiative (PIN), Policy Alert, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), Research Centre for Development Action, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Sesor Empowerment Foundation, TechHer NG, The Meluibe Empowerment Foundation, We the People, WikkiTimes Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and Yiaga Africa.