Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an Urgent Appeal to Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, urging her to “apply the Commonwealth Charter to hold the Nigerian authorities to account over reports of attacks on journalists covering the #EndHunger protests and peaceful protesters in some parts of the country.”
SERAP urged Ms Scotland to “apply the Commonwealth Charter to press the Nigerian authorities to promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently and effectively investigate reports of attacks on journalists covering the protests’ in Nigeria and on peaceful protesters.”
SERAP also urged Ms Scotland to “press the Nigerian authorities to publish the outcome of any investigation and to hold suspected perpetrators to account and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for the affected journalists and peaceful protesters for any violations of domestic law and international standards.”
SERAP urged Ms Scotland to “press the Nigerian authorities to uphold the rights of journalists to monitor and report on protests and ensure their safety, as well as ensure that journalists are not detained, threatened, attacked or restricted when covering noteworthy events of interest to the public, such as protests.”
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In the Urgent Appeal dated 3 August 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The targeting of journalists with lethal or less-lethal force for doing their work is prohibited under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law and contrary to best law enforcement standards.”
SERAP said, “Those violating such standards must be subject to accountability and disciplinary processes. The Commonwealth should take a clear stand to ensure accountability of institutions, media freedom and peaceful assembly in Nigeria.”
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