In a damning assessment released today, Amnesty International has criticized the administration of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, stating that it has fallen short in ensuring the respect for human rights and the rule of law during its first six months in office. The human rights organization highlights a lack of concrete action in addressing widespread human rights violations across the country, despite the unveiling of new government policies.
President Tinubu’s administration is now presented with an opportunity to not only guarantee the full enjoyment of human rights for all citizens but also to hold accountable those responsible for past violations. Amnesty International is calling on Nigerian authorities to prioritize human rights in their policies, implement the recommendations of previous investigation panels on human rights abuses, and conduct thorough, impartial, independent, effective, and transparent investigations into past human rights violations.
The organization emphasizes the need for President Tinubu and his administration to make a public commitment to ending decades of human rights violations. This commitment should be coupled with tangible actions aimed at bringing suspected perpetrators of past violations to justice and implementing safeguards to significantly improve the respect for human rights. Amnesty International is urging the government to unveil a comprehensive blueprint for addressing the gross human rights violations that have occurred across the country.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, underscores the importance of the Nigerian authorities responding to the human rights agenda put forth by Amnesty International. Sanusi emphasizes that mere lip service to human rights is inadequate; concrete actions must be taken to protect and uphold the rights of all citizens.
The human rights agenda presented by Amnesty International addresses various facets of human rights violations in Nigeria. The organization calls for the guarantee and respect of human rights for all citizens, citing routine violations of freedom of expression and media freedom in the country. Furthermore, Amnesty International demands a comprehensive investigation into counter-insurgency operations in the northeast, particularly those carried out by security forces since 2009, which have involved gross human rights violations and crimes under international law.
The organization also emphasizes the need for accountability in cases such as the killings of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate in October 2020, rising living costs resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies, unresolved violence in Southern Kaduna, and clashes between farming and herding communities. Amnesty International insists on thorough, effective, and impartial investigations into these incidents, with a focus on bringing perpetrators to justice and providing compensation to victims.
The report highlights ongoing attacks by gunmen in various regions, including Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina states, with Amnesty International calling for an end to the violence and fair trials for suspected perpetrators. Grave human rights violations, such as torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions, are noted, with a plea for an end to impunity and thorough investigations.
The rising insecurity in the southeast is also a concern, with Nigerian security forces accused of human rights violations during security operations. Amnesty International insists on a comprehensive, impartial, independent, effective, and transparent investigation into these violations, emphasizing the importance of bringing suspected perpetrators to justice in fair trials.
Amnesty International emphasizes that President Bola Tinubu’s administration must translate its commitment to human rights into concrete actions, ensuring justice and accountability for past violations while actively addressing ongoing human rights challenges across Nigeria.
