ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – Ahead of the commencement of the planned hardship protest, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued advisory opinion to state government, federal government, security agencies and protesters in the exercise of their constitutional duties without human rights violation.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN who made this disclosure on Wednesday evening also charged the law enforcement agencies to comply with the relevant human rights principles and practices that guarantee the right to freedom of association and assembly.
Recall that the NHRC issued the advisory Opinion pursuant to the legal and inherent powers of the Commission in section 5(l)(m)(o) of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act, 2010.
Therefore, the Executive Secretary reminded the law enforcement agents and Citizens that Article 21 of the ICCPR and the ACHPR guarantee the right to peaceful Assembly without restrictions.
The learned Silk emphasized that Citizens do not require police permits to hold peaceful protests, notification to law enforcement about planned assemblies does not equate to seeking permission but serves as an avenue for ensuring safety and orderly conduct of protests and assemblies.
He urged the law enforcement agencies to respect Citizens’ rights while maintaining public order without infringing upon the constitutional freedoms.
Similarly, the Chief Custodian of Human Rights in Nigeria reminded the Citizens including protesters of their consequential obligations to ensure orderly conduct, respect for law and the security of other Citizens and public and private properties.
Buttressing the above position, the Executive Secretary cited other relevant national, regional and international laws protecting the rights of Citizens particularly as they relate to the right to freedom of association and assembly to drive home his point that protests do not amount to crime or criminality.
The NHRC Boss further urged Citizens, the security operatives and other stakeholders to desist from any act that will bring violence in the planned protest but rather report any criminal behaviour to the Police in the Interest of peace and security of the country.
The ES said the Commission will operate a 24 hour situation room to monitor the protest advising the public to call its toll-free number 6472 to make any complaint of human rights violations associated with the protest.
He further he urged the TV federal and state governments to ensure that protests are not disrupted by opposing third parties, counter-demonstrators or hostile forces as well as ensure that initial approaches to emerging violence by protesters or counter-protesters does not immediately lead to the use of deadly force and all measures to preserve human lives shall be ensured in accordance with international best practices.
The NHRC’s Scribe hailed the roles of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), trade unions, political parties, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the media and other organisations and professionals in the promition of freedom of association and peaceful assembly and the freedom of expression and the need to continuous cooperation, capacity and assistance to enable the full realisation and enjoyment of these rights by every Nigerian as a means to building democratic, accountable and pluralistic societies.
