Amnesty International Nigeria have condemned the detention of minors involved in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.
The organization urged the Nigerian federal government to release all detained individuals, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional and internationally guaranteed human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“Amnesty International condemns President Bola Tinubu’s government for the continued detention of minors who participated in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.
The attempts to subject these minors to a sham trial over alleged ‘treason’ demonstrate the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law. Authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally,” they stated.
Furthermore, Amnesty International highlighted the troubling situation of children in detention, noting that “in Katsina, at least 12 children under 16 years old were detained merely for being on the streets during the #EndBadGovernance protests. These children, with their entire lives ahead of them, are now at risk of being tried on fabricated charges.”
The organization pointed out that another group of 43 protesters is facing similar treason charges in the same Federal High Court in Abuja, warning that the Nigerian authorities are escalating their efforts to deprive people of their right to peaceful protest through horrifying detentions and sham trials.
“The unlawful detention of these minors, subjecting them to traumatic experiences for exercising their right to peaceful protest, is unacceptable. The government must release all of them immediately and unconditionally.”
