Amnesty International Issues Warning to Authorities in Nigeria Against June 12 Protest Disruption
Amnesty International has urged the Nigerian government to uphold and protect citizens’ rights in anticipation of the nationwide protests set for June 12.
The June 12 demonstrations, coinciding with Nigeriaโs Democracy Day, are expected to attract significant participation from rights groups, labour unions, and concerned citizens nationwide.
The protests are being organized in response to growing insecurity, economic hardship, and the shrinking space for civic engagement throughout the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, emphasized that security forces must respect and enable the right to peaceful protest, a right enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and supported by international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a party.
Sanusi cautioned against using the protests as an excuse to suppress dissent, warning that any crackdown on the freedoms of expression and assembly would constitute a serious violation of fundamental rights.
Amnesty International drew attention to Nigeriaโs worsening conditions, pointing to an escalating security crisis and the most severe cost-of-living challenges in a generation.
The organization noted that rural communities in states such as Benue, Zamfara, Plateau, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kebbi remain plagued by insecurity, with frequent attacks leaving many residents in fear and constant panic.
Sanusi called on authorities to address the root causes of public frustration, rather than resorting to repressive tactics.
Amnesty also urged the government to honor its national and international human rights obligations by ensuring that citizens are allowed to express their opinions and gather peacefully without interference.
Excerpt:
“The Nigerian authorities must ensure that security agencies respect and facilitate the right to peaceful protest,โ Sanusi said. โGovernment officials must also refrain from issuing rhetoric to demonise protesters and stifle peaceful dissent.โ
“People must be allowed to freely exercise their rights to peaceful protest.โ
“The Nigerian authorities must begin to seriously address the underlying issues driving the protests instead of ramping up repression and stifling peaceful dissent,โ he concluded.
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