The Right To Peaceful Protest: A Pillar Of Democratic Governance As Constitutionally Guaranteed
Abuja, Monday, July 29, 2024: In light of recent events and ongoingdiscussions surrounding the appropriateness of citizens expressing their dissatisfaction with government policies and actions,we, the undersigned civil societyorganisations, are compelledto reaffirm the fundamental right of citizensto peaceful protestas a fundamental pillar of democratic governance. This right is a cornerstone of any democratic society and a critical means for citizens to express their dissatisfaction, demand accountability, and advocate for change.
Protesting is a legitimate form of expression enshrined in international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the AfricanCharter on Human and Peoples'Rights, and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), among others. It allows citizens to publicly voice their concerns,challenge injustices, and participate activelyin the democratic process.
Protests serve as a vital mechanism for holding leadersaccountable and ensuringthat government actionsreflect the will and needsof the people. History has shown that protests can lead to significant changes in government policies, processes and practices, highlighting the power of collective action to address grievances and promote good governance.
While the right to protest is a fundamental principle of democratic nations, we concede that it must be exercisedpeacefully and responsibly without violating the rights of others. Accordingly, we urge all parties engaged, including protest organisers, participants, and law enforcement agencies, to prioritise safety and the rule of law. Law enforcement has a duty to safeguard protesters while upholding public order. Demonstrators must avoid activities that might exacerbate tensions, cause unrestor threaten public safety.
Attempts to suppress demonstrations through intimidation, excessive use of force, or unjust legal actionsare unacceptable and counterproductive. Every protestis deemed peaceful, and if intelligence indicates otherwise, it is the role of the appropriate government agencies to identify such saboteurs and arrest them immediately. Arresting protest organisers shows a lack of understanding of the enemies of the state.
We urge the Nigerian Judiciary and the NationalHuman Rights Commission (NHRC) to upholdthe rights of all protesters and establish a mechanism to promptly address and dismiss oppressive charges that may arise from these protests.
The demands include reducing the cost of living, curbing insecurity, reducing the cost of governance, electoralreform, judicial reform,and constitutional reform,which are all recurring themes in Nigeria’s journey towards a healthy democracy.
We reaffirm our commitment to the principles of democracy and human rights and stand in solidarity with those who decided to exercise the right to peacefulprotest.
We encourage all citizens to actively participate in shaping a just and accountable society,and we call on all stakeholders to uphold the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
For enquiries, you may contact any of these numbers: Edet - +2348037145991; Edosa -
+2348035670173; Yemi - +2348082192510; Odeh - +2348034696666
Signed: 1. 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative
2. Accountability Lab Nigeria 3. Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO) Uganda
4. BudgIT Foundation 5. Centre for Accountability and Inclusive Development (CAAID)
6. Centre for Inclusive SocialDevelopment (CISD) 7. Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)
8. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
9. Dataphyte Foundation 10. DigiCivic Initiative 11. Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria 12. Farnnel Women Foundation 13. Gee Foundation for SocialJustice and Development
14. Global Rights 15. Health Education and Human RightsAdvocacy Initiative (HEHRAI)
16. HIFWAC Relief 17. Hope Behind Bars Africa 18. Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation ( ISDF)
19. International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre(IPCRC)
20. International Press Centre (IPC) 21. Invictus Africa 22. Kilimanjaro Youth Foundation 23. Media Rights Agenda (MRA) 24. Mothers United and Mobilised 25. Nigeria Network of NGOs 26. Paradigm Initiative (PIN) 27. Policy Alert 28. Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) 29. Research Centre for Development Action 30. Rule of Law and Accountability AdvocacyCentre (RULAAC)
31. Sesor Empowerment Foundation 32. TechHer NG 33. The Meluibe Empowerment Foundation 34. We the People 35. WikkiTimes 36. Yiaga Africa