Nigerian civic groups condemn threat against Amnesty Nigeria

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Nigerian civil society groups working in the area of the protection and promotion of human rights and good governance  have condemned what they described as ‘malicious’ and ‘unjustified’ terrorization and ultimatum being issued against the global human rights nonprofit, Amnesty International, in the country.

“We condemn in totality the recurrent breach of peace, brazen lack of patriotism, and absolute disregard for fundamental democratic values and principles of good governance by a malicious group that has persisted in threatening and issuing unjustified ultimatums to Amnesty International Nigeria to vacate the country,” said a press statement issued and signed by the group of about 25 civic organisations, on Thursday.

“We are aware that Amnesty International, as a duly registered organisation, possesses legal operational rights and mandate to protect and defend rights of the citizens irrespective of their socio-economic, ethno-religious and political backgrounds as pledged by Government of Nigeria under relevant national, regional, and global  laws including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Protocols on Human Rights and Rules of Law, and particularly, Section 33 to 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” adds the statement.

The group decried in strongest terms what they described as the ‘unjustifiable and recurring’ terrorization of the staff and facilities of Amnesty International in Nigeria reiterating the fact that no responsible individual, group or government would disparage the protection of the rights of vulnerable individuals or groups.

“We find it worrisome that rather than extending sincere support and solidarity to Amnesty International Nigeria in complementing the activities of credible civil society groups to enhance democratic values in the country, an unidentifiable mischievous group continues to engage in empty threats—a ridiculous attempt to frustrate efforts to protect human rights, and suppress civil society activities ostensibly to hamper the recurring demand for good governance,” says the statement.