The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called for the immediate release of activist Omoyele Sowore and other protesters reportedly arrested during a peaceful demonstration in Abuja on Monday.
In a statement on Tuesday, SERAP condemned the arrests as arbitrary and a violation of the constitutional rights of the protesters, urging Nigerian authorities to respect citizens’ freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“No one should ever be arrested simply for peacefully exercising their human rights,” the statement read. “The authorities must immediately release Omoyele Sowore and all others arbitrarily detained, and end the violations of protesters’ rights.”
The organisation reminded the government that peaceful assembly is a fundamental right guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, all of which Nigeria is a party to.
SERAP further urged the authorities to “uphold and ensure the effective enjoyment of these fundamental freedoms,” noting that respect for such rights is essential to democratic governance and public accountability.
