SERAP and Amnesty International Condemn Detention of Minors in #EndBadGovernance Protests

By DAYO ADESULU

Advocacy Groups Call for Immediate Release of Arrested Protesters Amidst Concerns Over Human Rights Violations

The ongoing detention of minors involved in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests has drawn sharp condemnation from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria. These organizations are urging the Nigerian government to release the detained individuals and drop all charges against them, particularly the serious allegations of ‘treasonable felony.’

Background of the Protests

In August 2024, Nigerian youths took to the streets to express their frustration over the hardships, hunger, and poor governance attributed to the current administration. The protests aimed to highlight the dire socio-economic conditions affecting citizens and demand accountability from the government. However, many protesters were met with arrests by security forces, leading to the arraignment of 76 individuals in court.

Incident in Court

During the court proceedings, a minor among the defendants collapsed, illustrating the distressing nature of the situation. This incident has further fueled the outcry against the treatment of young protesters and the government’s approach to handling dissent.

SERAP’s Response

SERAP responded to the ongoing detentions by calling for the unconditional release of the protesters and the dismissal of all charges against them. The organization emphasized that no individual should face punishment for peacefully exercising their human rights. They criticized the government’s actions as an attempt to instill fear and suppress scrutiny, ultimately seeking to entrench a culture of impunity in Nigeria.

“The Tinubu administration must unconditionally release the 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters and drop all charges of ‘treasonable felony’ against them, or face legal action,” SERAP stated on its official X platform.

Amnesty International’s Position

Echoing SERAP’s sentiments, Amnesty International condemned the detention of minors involved in the protests. The organization highlighted the importance of upholding constitutional and internationally guaranteed human rights, particularly the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

“Amnesty International condemns President Bola Tinubu’s government for the continued detention of minors who participated in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. The attempts to subject these minors to a sham trial over alleged ‘treason’ demonstrate the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law,” the organization stated.

Amnesty International also raised alarms about the situation of children in detention, noting that at least 12 minors in Katsina were arrested merely for being present during the protests. The organization warned that these children are now at risk of facing fabricated charges that could severely impact their futures.

Escalating Concerns

Both SERAP and Amnesty International have expressed deep concern over the Nigerian authorities’ escalating efforts to undermine the right to peaceful protest. They emphasize that the unlawful detention of minors, subjecting them to traumatic experiences for exercising their rights, is wholly unacceptable.

“The unlawful detention of these minors, subjecting them to traumatic experiences for exercising their right to peaceful protest, is unacceptable. The government must release all of them immediately and unconditionally,” Amnesty International asserted.

Conclusion

The condemnation from SERAP and Amnesty International highlights a critical moment in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle for human rights and accountability. As these organizations advocate for the immediate release of detained minors and other protesters, the situation underscores the need for the Nigerian government to uphold the rights of its citizens and foster an environment where peaceful dissent is respected rather than repressed.

Next Steps

• Public Awareness: Advocacy groups will likely continue to raise awareness of the situation, urging the public to support the call for justice and the protection of human rights.
• Legal Action: SERAP has indicated that legal action may be pursued if the government fails to respond adequately to their demands.
• Monitoring Developments: Human rights organizations will closely monitor the legal proceedings involving the detained protesters to ensure fairness and transparency.