Stop this ‘paid’ protest against Amnesty Int’l now, Falana writes Buhari

Following the protest against Amnesty International (AI) by some Nigerians, a human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He called on the president to stop what he said was a reckless attack by “paid” protesters.

Protests against AI has continued for the third day running. The protesters had on Monday asked the international organisation to leave Nigeria within 24 hours.

The protest however took a different shape on Wednesday with the protesters displaying a red coffin bearing an inscription ‘RIP’, in front of the Amnesty international organisation’s Abuja office.

Leading the protest, Melvin Ejeh, the executive director of Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI), said AI has only 12 midnight Wednesday to vacate Nigeria, because from Thursday, legal actions will be taken against it.

The protesters’ grievance is triggered by recent reports by AI alleging human rights abuses by Nigeria’s security agencies.

However, Falana in the open letter to President Buhari on the attack on the office of AI sighted by Ripples Nigeria, the human rights activist condemned the attacks.

In the letter entitled “Re: Request to urgently direct the Inspector General of Police to end the invasion of Amnesty International Office in Abuja by apparently paid for protesters,” Falana called on Buhari to direct the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to end the invasion forthwith.

Part of the letter read, “I am writing to request you to use your good offices and leadership position to direct the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Kpotun Idris to end the invasion of Amnesty International Office in Abuja, and the harassment of the organization’s staff.

Read also: SERAP cautions Buhari against plot to chase Amnesty Int’l out of Nigeria

“I note that Amnesty International (AI) is a well-known international NGO and among other NGOs operating legally in the country. I recall that upon your election as President you met with the leadership of Al and promised among other things to look into the allegations of serious human rights violations and abuses allegedly committed by the military as contained in the reports published by the organisation.

“I am seriously concerned that the police would allow some apparently hired protesters to invade the AI office in Abuja in broad daylight and subject its staff members to intimidation and harassment. These intruders have impeded the work of the organisation and threatened the safety and security of its members of staff who are all Nigerian citizens.

“AI should not be harassed and stigmatised simply for exposing the human rights violations and abuses by the military in the North-East of the country. To allow that to happen is to endanger and undermine the work of not only AI but also other civil society groups in the country. This will in turn create a climate of fear and send an intimidating message to the human rights movement in particular and the entire country in general.

“Finally, I urge your Excellency to institute an independent investigation into all allegations of human rights violations and abuses allegedly committed by the military in the context of the fight against Boko Haram in the North-East of the country.”

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