Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) have called on government at all levels and other relevant authorities to immediately stop the ongoing intimidation and harassment of journalists, activists, bloggers and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the country while exercising their human rights.”
The groups also called to an end the use of some provisions of the Cybercrimes Act, criminal and penal codes and other repressive laws that target journalists, activists, CSOs, and critics who peacefully express their views online, and immediately release those arbitrarily detained across the country.”
“Using repressive laws and strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) lawsuits to intimidate and harass journalists, activists, bloggers and CSOs erodes democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria” they said.
They made the assertions at a press conference and interactive session titled: ‘The Escalating Restrictions on Civic Space, Media Freedom and the Deterioration of Rule of Law in Nigeria’, held at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja.
The event was jointly organized by SERAP and NGE to mark the International Human Rights Day.
The groups also said, “the use of repressive laws and SLAPP lawsuits to crackdown on peaceful dissent is entirely inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
“Nigerian authorities at all levels should show that they tolerate peaceful dissent and media freedom if the Nigerian people are to have any chance of holding them accountable on their constitutional oath of office, commitments and promises.”
“Criminal defamation and SLAPP lawsuits are neither necessary nor proportionate under the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party. Such lawsuits generate a chilling effect that inhibits the enjoyment of human rights and circulation of ideas and information.”
“A lawsuit challenging the legality and compatibility of some provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024 with the rights to freedom of expression and information is pending before the ECOWAS Court.”
“As a matter of the rule of law, security and law enforcement agencies cannot and should not use the amended Act to continue to silence peaceful dissent pending the hearing and determination of the lawsuit by the court.”
“We are deeply concerned that Nigerian authorities at all levels and other actors continue to use repressive laws and misuse the judicial processes to normalize repression of the rights of journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders, activists, opposition politicians, artists and other Nigerians” the groups stated.
