Global human rights body, the Amnesty International, has called on the United States’ Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to use his upcoming trip to Nigeria to demand for the release of the remaining victims of #EndSARS protest who are still languishing in various prison centres across the country.
The AI noted that all the atrocities committed by the Nigerian police before and after the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) must be investigated, with victims adequately compensated, while the perpetrators are held to account.
The Africa Advocacy Director at Amnesty International USA, Kate Hixon, who made the appeal in a statement on Saturday, said Secretary Blinken’s trip to Nigeria would be a great opportunity for US engagement with the new Administration of President Bola Tinubu, adding that it “will only be successful if human rights are front and center.”
She explained that the Nigerian military has repeatedly harmed civilians with little accountability, citing airstrikes in communities that kill hundreds of innocent civilians while fighting armed militias. “Secretary Blinken must press for investigations and accountability for all civilian deaths caused by the military.
“As we saw during the recent Christmas Eve attack in Plateau State, the Tinubu government is failing on its promise to protect civilians. Secretary Blinken must urge President Tinubu to do more than issue statements and actually ensure justice and accountability for civilians harmed by armed groups.”
The global right body, however, stated that the Nigerian government must do this without further harming civilians in its response.
Amnesty International Nigeria’s Executive Director, Isa Sanusi, was quoted in the statement to have asked Blinken to use the trip to press for the release of Mubarak Bala, Yahaya Aminu- Sharif, and Ismaila Sani Isah, currently in jail for blasphemy accusations.
“In Nigeria it is imperative that Secretary Blinken raise the ongoing harassment of human rights defenders and journalists, such as Omoyele Sowore, who is facing flawed charges solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
“As Amnesty Nigeria outlines in its human rights agenda for the Tinubu Administration, it must honor the right to freedom of expression, Secretary Blinken must also press for the release of Mubarak Bala, Yahaya Aminu- Sharif, and Ismaila Sani Isah, currently in jail for blasphemy accusations. Charges related to blasphemy against Rhoda Jatau must also be dropped unconditionally.
“Secretary Blinken must also press for the immediate release of the remaining #EndSARS protestors who continue to be detained years after their protests without due process or even a trial. If the Tinubu Administration is to remain committed to accountability, it must release these remaining protestors.
“In addition, Secretary Blinken must press for the full implementation of the findings of the investigation of the killings of peaceful #EndSARS protesters by the military and police. All atrocities committed by the police before and after the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) must be investigated. Victims must also receive compensation, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.”