The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project on Sunday called on the Commonwealth to sanction the Federal Government for violating its citizens’ right to free speech.
The call is coming on the heel of the government’s pronouncement of suspension on Twitter in the country.
Anaedoonline.ng reported that the Nigerian Government led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) has been heavily criticised by Nigerians and international bodies, including the United Nations, United States of America, United Kingdon and Sweden, amongst others.
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As the suspension enters day two, SERAP has urged the Commonwealth to hold the Buhari administration accountable for repressing the citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information, amongst others.
The “Urgent Appeal” to sanction Nigeria was contained in a correspondence signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare to the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland QC on June 5, 2021.
In the letter, SERAP urged the Secretary-General to “apply the Commonwealth Charter to hold the Nigerian government to account over the unlawful suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, and the resulting repression of human rights particularly the rights to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom, as well as flagrant disregard for the rule of law.”
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Furthermore, the organisation directed Ms. Scotland to “urgently consider recommending the suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth to the Heads of Government, the Commonwealth Chair-in-office, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as Head of the Commonwealth to push the government to take concrete measures to respect and promote the Commonwealth’s values of human rights, transparency, accountability and the rule of law.”
“The Nigerian government has repeatedly demonstrated that it is not committed to protecting human rights. The Commonwealth should take a clear stand to ensure accountability of institutions, freedom of expression and access to information in Nigeria.”
“Nigerians can only freely participate in the democratic processes and shape the society in which they live if these fundamental human rights are fully and effectively respected, protected and promoted.
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“The suspension has the character of collective punishment and is antithetical to the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international obligations. Nigerian authorities would seem to be suppressing people’s access to Twitter to exploit the shutdown to cover up allegations of corruption, abuses, and restrict freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.”
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