Amnesty International has strongly condemned the reprehensible and perilous actions taken by the police against the University of Lagos students who were engaging in a peaceful protest against the exorbitant increase in tuition fees.
According to the global Huma Right Watch, this unjustifiable use of force and intimidation has the potential to deny numerous students their fundamental right to education, a right that should be safeguarded and cherished in any democratic society.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all individuals who were apprehended during this protest. The detention of these students is a grave violation of their basic human rights and an affront to the principles of justice and freedom that Nigeria should uphold. These students were merely exercising their constitutional right to peacefully assemble and express their grievances, and they should not be subjected to punitive measures for doing so.
“It is imperative that the Nigerian authorities respect and uphold the right to engage in peaceful protest, as enshrined in international human rights agreements and the nation’s own constitution. The use of excessive force, intimidation, and unwarranted arrests to quell legitimate dissent is not only morally wrong but also undermines the very foundations of democracy,” Amnesty International said
The group called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the actions of the police during this incident. “Those responsible for the unwarranted clampdown on students must be held accountable for their actions, and justice must be served. It is essential to send a clear message that human rights violations will not be tolerated, and that those entrusted with maintaining law and order must do so in a manner that respects the dignity and rights of all citizens,” Amnesty International added.
