Amnesty International Nigeria says it is playing a critical role in advancing human rights, security, and defense in Nigeria.
These reflections on the organization’s journey, were made known by the Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Amnesty International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, who emphasized their commitment to justice, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights for all Nigerians in a chat with this news medium.
He explained that Amnesty International’s engagement in Nigeria dates back to 1967 during the civil war when they advocated for human rights protections. With the establishment of their national office in 2015, it marked a significant shift in ensuring more localized and impactful interventions.
He spoke on Amnesty International’s milestones in Nigeria ranging from tackling issues ranging from housing rights, police accountability, and environmental justice to the protection of civic spaces for human rights defenders. Notable achievements include advocacy for implementing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, pushing for accountability in environmental degradation caused by multinational corporations.
He also said that groundbreaking reports like Stars on Their Shoulders, Blood on Their Hands have brought global attention to potential war crimes in Nigeria’s northeast, catalyzing actions such as the establishment of the Special Board of Inquiry (SBOI).
He stressed that The organization continues to focus on key areas through:
1. Advocating for media freedom and freedom of expression.
2. Monitoring and supporting freedom of assembly and association.
3. Campaigning for reforms to prevent arbitrary arrests and detentions.
4. Documenting and addressing human rights violations by security forces.
5. Promoting economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR).
6. Advocating for gender equality and the rights of women and girls.
7. Addressing environmental and climate justice issues.
8. Documenting abuses by armed groups and enhancing accountability.
9. Focusing on child rights violations through strategic advocacy.
He noted that despite the challenges of The COVID-19 pandemic which amplified existing inequalities, it made the fight for justice more complex. Still, the organization was able to secure the release of over 600 unlawfully detained individuals in 2021 and the ECOWAS Court ruling against Nigeria’s Twitter ban, Rafsanjani noted.
Comrade Rafsanjani concluded the chat by stating that Amnesty International Nigeria remains steadfast and committed in ensuring that freedom, equality, and justice prevail in every corner of the nation.
