SERAP Condemns Police Pressure On Amnesty International, Urges Tinubu To Protect Civil Rights

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Nigerian Police to cease their harassment and threats towards Amnesty International.

The advocacy organisation emphasized that the organization (Amnesty International) was merely defending the rights of Nigerians.

Naija News reports that this request follows the Nigerian Police’s demand for an apology from Amnesty International regarding its report on last year’s end-bad-governance protests.

The Police have threatened to pursue legal action if Amnesty International does not retract the report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on End Bad Governance Protests.”

The Police statement claimed that Amnesty International’s report was misleading and harmed the reputation of the Police force, which has worked hard to gain the trust of citizens.

They demanded that the organization issue a formal apology and retraction within seven days, or face legal consequences.

In response, SERAP condemned the Police’s actions, urging President Tinubu to intervene.

In a statement, SERAP stated: “We urge President Tinubu to direct the police to immediately end their harassment and threat against Amnesty International in Nigeria solely for defending the rights of Nigerians.

“The threat shows an escalating crackdown on civic space in the country.”