Introduction
Human rights violations have been a burning issue in Nigeria, especially as more people continue to face infringements on their freedom of speech, movement, assembly, and safety, amongst others. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) disclosed that Nigeria recorded 1,580 human rights violations across its six geopolitical zones in just the month of March 2024 during its monthly dashboard meeting earlier this year.
The #EndBadGovernance Protest
A very recent scenario of such violations can be seen in the #EndBadGovernace protest, which occurred between August 1st and 10th, 2024, for 10 days. During the first day of the protest, the Nigerian youths stormed the streets of Abuja, marching down from the national stadium with placards and the Nigerian flag, chanting, ‘End Bad Governance, We are Hungry!’ But were attacked and forcefully dispersed with teargas before they could reach their protest destination, with some protesters arbitrarily arrested and detained by the police force. In regards to these human rights violations during the protest, Amnesty International Nigeria, in a press release, decried the repression of the right to peaceful assembly as the protest witnessed at least 13 deaths of protesters during the first few days in three states, Niger, Maiduguri, and Kaduna, by the police force and other security agents in an alleged bid to secure lives and properties.
The Clampdown on Protests
Such clampdown and inability to actualise peaceful protests in the country in an era of democracy show a huge deficit in the country’s capability to fully uphold and safeguard the rights of its citizens as well as allow active practice of full democracy for a safer and more developed society. This violation portrays a fear of the leadership for the citizens’ united voice against corruption, hardships, economic stagnancy, and hunger in the country and the dire need for accountability in governance. A Vanguard Nigeria report stated the condemnation of the abuse of young Nigerian protesters and journalists made by The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ACHPR, urging the Nigerian government to uphold and ensure respect for the right to peaceful protest enshrined under Article 11 of the African Charter.
The Impact it has between Leaders and Citizens
The infringements on human rights witnessed with Nigerian protests can be alleviated through the use of open and constructive dialogue between leaders and citizens, lessened use of excessive force by law enforcement and security agencies, proper identification of saboteurs amongst peaceful protesters, and the development and implementation of improved policies that address the concerns and sufferings of the masses, thereby addressing the underlying causes of protests in the country. By so doing, the country can achieve a reduction in mass unrest that leads to loss of properties, lives, and security.
Conclusion
Any government must ensure that its citizens are safe, heard, protected, and well catered for; therefore, it is paramount for the Nigerian government to devise means that reduce the infringement of human rights during peaceful demonstrations and foster a lifestyle of respect for human dignity, lives, and constitution.
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