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Demands Probe of Incident
- Safiu Kehinde
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) group has faulted the discharge of tear gas against human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, and other protesters.
SERAP demanded probe into the teargas attack on the protesters by the police during the June 12 protest in Abuja on Friday.
NPO Reported that the protesters were dispersed by the police who fired the teargas cannisters at the activists.
One of the cannisters was allegedly fired directly at Sowore who collapsed after inhaling the toxic gas.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on its X handle, SERAP condemned the action.
It demanded justice for all the victims of the attack
“We strongly condemn the reported misuse of teargas against peaceful protesters during the Democracy Day protests in Abuja, including the incident in which journalist and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore reportedly collapsed and was subsequently taken to hospital after being exposed to teargas fired by security operatives.
“The reported targeting of peaceful protesters and the excessive use of force against individuals peacefully exercising their constitutional and internationally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are unacceptable and patently unlawful.
“The Tinubu administration must ensure a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigation into the reported attacks and bring those suspected to be responsible to justice.
“All protesters whose rights may have been violated must be provided with access to justice and effective remedies, including appropriate reparations where violations are established.
“The authorities have a duty to ensure that victims of human rights violations are able to seek and obtain effective redress.” The statement partly read.
SERAP warned of the impact of the attack on the participation of youths in politics.
Meanwhile, the group sad that under international human rights standards, law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and only to the extent required to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective.
“The violent disruption of peaceful assemblies undermines the rule of law and sends a chilling message to citizens seeking to participate in public affairs and hold authorities accountable.
“The Nigerian authorities have a legal obligation to respect, protect, and facilitate the rights of everyone to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly—not suppress them. Peaceful protest is not a crime.
“Democracy Day should serve as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding human rights and ensuring that citizens can freely express their views without fear of intimidation, harassment, violence, or reprisals.
“We call on the authorities to guarantee the safety and security of all protesters, journalists, and human rights defenders, and to ensure full compliance with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party.
“Under international human rights standards, law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and only to the extent required to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective.” It said.
SERAP further noted that teargas should be used only when necessary to prevent further physical harm and, wherever possible, only after adequate warnings have been given.
“Authorities must also carefully assess the likely impact of its use. The deliberate use of lethal force is only permissible when it is strictly necessary to protect life.
“Even where protests become violent, the use of teargas must remain lawful, necessary, proportionate, and directed toward a legitimate law enforcement objective.
“It should be employed only as part of a broader range of non-lethal measures and never in a manner that endangers life.
“The deliberate use of lethal force is permissible only when strictly unavoidable to protect life.” The statement read further.