The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland to invoke the Commonwealth Charter to hold Nigerian authorities accountable for recent attacks on journalists covering the #EndBadGovernance protests.
SERAP emphasized the need for thorough and impartial investigations into these incidents and for the outcomes to be made public.
In a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged Scotland to press the Nigerian authorities to ensure the safety of journalists and uphold their rights to report on protests without fear of detention, threats, or attacks.
SERAP stressed that journalists should not face restrictions while covering significant public events such as protests.
The urgent appeal, dated August 3, 2024, was also sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. SERAP highlighted that targeting journalists with any form of force for performing their duties is against both the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights laws.
“The Commonwealth should take a definitive stance to ensure accountability, media freedom, and the right to peaceful assembly in Nigeria,” SERAP stated.
The urgent appeal, copied to Mr António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Mr Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, read in part:
“The Nigerian authorities over the years have repeatedly demonstrated that they are not committed to protecting human rights.
“Respect for Commonwealth values is essential for citizens to trust Commonwealth institutions. The Commonwealth ought to take a strong stand for the protection of human rights and media freedom in Nigeria, principles which are fundamental to the Commonwealth’s integrity, functioning, and effectiveness of its institutions.”
“Nigerian authorities have the legal obligation to protect journalists reporting the news, including covering protests. Nigerian authorities also have an obligation to investigate and punish any violation that occurs within the framework of a public demonstration, including attacks on the press.”
“The Commonwealth Charter and declarations recognise media freedom and the inalienable right of individuals to participate in democratic processes, in particular through the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly, access to information, and media freedom, which apply both offline and online.”
They added that respect for these values is crucial for maintaining public trust in Commonwealth institutions.
SERAP emphasized that Nigerian authorities have a legal obligation to protect journalists and investigate any violations against them during protests.
The organization called for the immediate and unconditional release of any journalists or peaceful protesters detained for exercising their rights.
SERAP further noted that law enforcement should use force only as a last resort and in a manner that is necessary and proportionate.
They called for investigations into any use of force by security agents against journalists covering protests.
Citing reports of security agents attacking journalists and protesters in Abuja and other regions, SERAP described incidents where journalists from The PUNCH, The Cable, Premium Times, and Peoples Gazette were targeted with tear gas and gunfire.
The statement also detailed instances of journalists’ equipment being confiscated or destroyed without due process.
SERAP urged Nigerian authorities to compensate journalists for any damaged equipment and reiterated that even if a protest is declared unlawful, journalists retain the right to monitor and report on such events.
They called on the Commonwealth to support these protections and ensure that Nigerian security forces respect journalists’ rights during protests.
