Amnesty International advocates more human rights protection,friendly civic space

By Angela Atabo & Diana Omueza

Amnesty International, a human rights organisation,has advocated for more friendly civic space and human rights protection in Nigeria to promote democratic governance.

The Programme Manager, Amnesty International, Barbara Magaji,made the call at the Human Rights Fiesta 2024 on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),reports that the fiesta with the theme “Shrinking Civic Space for Human Rights Advocacy in Nigeria.” Was organised by Amnesty International as part of activities to mark the 2024 Human Rights Day.

According to Magaji, a good civic space enables citizens to participate in public life, express their opinions, and hold those in power accountable.

She added that it provides a platform for citizens to engage with their government, advocate for their rights, and contribute to decision-making processes .

She however, said that most countries around the world seldom allow people to enjoy their rights due to some restrictions by governments.

.”Amnesty International is a human rights organisation made up of over 10 million people globally and we are located in over 135 countries, and Nigeria happens to be one.

“Our dream is to see a day where everyone enjoys human rights. As we are today as a nation, it is still a far cry.

“So for Amnesty, we keep on doing the work to ensure that rights are protected.

“We try to do this by ensuring that the international instruments on human rights and the constitution of Nigeria, which has different types of rights are implemented.

“Today we are here to celebrate the work we have done and to showcase some of the things we did in communities like Benue ,Plateau among others for displaced people.”

Magaji called for the need to always respect human rights and ensure that the welfare of citizens is taken care of as stated in the constitution.

The keynote speaker and Executive Director of Invictus Africa, Bukky Shonibare ,who spoke on “Voices Unchained, Bodies Unburied”,said civic space is the environment that allows individuals and groups engage freely.

Shonibare added that it allows people to organise, participate, and communicate freely without fear of reprisal.

“It is the foundation upon
which a healthy democracy is built, providing citizens with the freedom to voice their opinions, assemble peacefully, and advocate for change.

“In Nigeria, these freedoms are enshrined in our constitution. Section 39 guarantees the right to freedom of expression.

“It affirms that every person
has the right to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas without interference.

” Similarly, Section 40 protects the right to peaceful assembly and association, enabling Nigerians to organise, protest,
and mobilise around shared causes.”

Shonibare said that the constitutional rights were further reinforced by international obligations.

She urged Nigeria as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of
expression and the right to peaceful assembly to always be guided by those principles for a better society .(NAN)