NHRC warns security agencies against violating protesters’ rights

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday, cautioned law enforcement and security agencies against violations of protesters’ rights in the planned nationwide hunger protest.

In an advisory opinion to the federal, state government and third parties issued pursuant to section 5 (1)(m)(o) of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN called on law enforcement and security agencies to respect the right of the protesters, including the rights to peaceful assemblies and to voice their opinions.

Ojukwu called on law enforcement and security agencies to provide and protect traffic routes for protesters and nonprotesters while ensuring that, the right to freedom of movement is enjoyed by all parties.

The NHRC boss also called for the protection of public and private properties from protesters or counter-protesters as well as ensuring a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation into any incident of human rights violations during the protests.

He also called on the federal and state governments to ensure that protests are not disrupted by opposing third parties, counter-demonstrators, or hostile forces.

According to Ojukwu, “Federal and state governments shall ensure that initial approaches to emerging violence by protesters or counter protester does not immediately lead to the use of deadly force and all measures to preserve human life shall be ensured in accordance with international best practices”.

Ojukwu called on protesters to be peaceful and avoid provocative action such as carrying arms, hate speeches, attacks on law enforcement and security agencies, or looting of public and private properties as well as to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure peaceful protests and apprehension of offenders.

He said  NHRC believes that, through dialogue, respect for humans, and adherence to the rules of law, the grievance of the protesters can be addressed while maintaining public order and called all parties to avoid actions that could endanger public safety or damage public and private properties as well as undermine Nigeria democracy.

According to the NHRC boss, the Commission will operate a 24-hour situation room to monitor the protests on toll-free number 6472.

Speaking earlier, the Senior Human Rights Adviser to NHRC’s boss, Mr. Hilary Ogbona while giving an update on the Special Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations on Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East, the the panel had 11 sittings between January 2023 and March 2024.

He said the panel led by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdu Aboky (Rtd) received testimonies from 190 witnesses, including 66 military personnel interviewed by the panel.

Ogbona, who is also the secretary of the Special Investigative Panel said, the panel’s report, which has reached 95 percent completion will soon be released to the public.