Seventy-six years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) joins the global community in commemorating International Human Rights Day 2024.
We affirm that this year’s theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” underscores the essential role of human rights in fostering democracy, challenging systemic barriers, promoting social and economic justice, and building a peaceful future for all.
In particular, free speech and the right to peaceful assembly form the beating heart of any democracy. They provide a vital space for contesting ideas, holding power accountable, and amplifying marginalised voices in governance processes. These values create a marketplace of ideas where the strongest, most equitable, and forward-thinking solutions rise to prominence, driving societal progress.
Yet, this year’s International Human Rights Day celebration is taking place against the troubling backdrop of an increasing crackdown on free speech and peaceful assembly in Nigeria.
CAPPA is deeply concerned about the escalating criminalisation of civic engagement, evidenced by the Gestapo-style kidnappings, physical attacks, arbitrary arrests, and the detention of activists, dissenting voices and journalists exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly, association, and expression.
For instance, in August 2024, Nigerian security agencies reportedly used excessive force to suppress protests against rising costs of living and poor governance across the country, resulting in at least 24 fatalities and the arrest of over a thousand demonstrators.
Similarly, in November 2024, the detention of 29 minors aged 14 to 17, as well as the victimisation of young Nigerian activists for participating in the #EndBadGovernnance protests, with charges that included treason, exemplified the disproportionate and punitive measures increasingly deployed against legitimate dissent.
These actions are not isolated incidents but are part of a broader trend of shrinking civic space and the use of anti-terrorism and cybercrime laws to undermine human rights and intimidate civic actors. Sadly, they directly contradict Nigeria’s commitments under international human rights frameworks and the principles enshrined in its Constitution. By criminalising protests and targeting those who demand accountability, the government erodes not only the rights of its citizens but also the foundational values of a free and just society.
CAPPA, therefore, calls on Nigerian authorities at all levels to put an end to these alarming trends and uphold the constitutional rights of citizens to express themselves freely and assemble peacefully.
The arbitrary arrests and detention of activists and protesters must stop immediately, and those currently in custody and being prosecuted for exercising their rights should be released unconditionally, with all frivolous charges against them dropped.
We urge the government to thoroughly investigate allegations of abuse and excessive force by security agencies and hold those responsible accountable. Additionally, we demand that civil society organisations be allowed to operate without undue restrictions or intimidation, recognising their critical role in promoting democracy and social justice.
As Nigeria commemorates International Human Rights Day, it must commit to reversing the current trajectory of shrinking civic space and reaffirm its dedication to the principles of freedom and justice if it must realise sustainable development and lasting peace.
