CSOs tell Buhari to stop threats ,intimidation of SERAP

The civil society organisations (CSO)in Nigeria has  urged the Federal government  to put an end to the intimidation and harassment of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), an independent anti-corruption watchdog, and end escalating intimidation and aggression towards human rights defenders and journalists.

A statement by the CSO group  on Thursday evening said their became necessary  following the  recent warning by Garba Shahu, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President  Muhammadu Buhari to SERAP  “desist from putting out its divisive, irresponsible, and bare-faced publicity stunts

The statement  signed by 28 CSOs in Nigeria reads “We, the undersigned civil society organisations urge the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari to put an end to the intimidation and harassment of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), an independent anti-corruption watchdog, and end escalating intimidation and aggression towards human rights defenders and journalists.

Following SERAP’s public interest cases brought against the Government, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu issued a statement warning the organization to “desist from putting out its divisive, irresponsible, and bare-faced publicity stunts”. According to Mr Shehu, “SERAP should stop the publicity stunt and end the repeated ridiculous claims that it is bringing legal action against the Government and/or President of Nigeria.”

We are seriously concerned that this intimidatory tactic by the government against SERAP solely for peacefully carrying out its mandates illustrates the growing repression of civil society, attacks on journalists, and restriction of civic space in Nigeria.

Continuous and increasing attacks and intimidation against civil society organisations, human rights and journalists in the country is antithetical to Nigeria’s international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights both of which the country has ratified.

“We are concerned that the attack on SERAP is clearly aimed at creating a climate of intimidation against civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and journalists in the country. The targeting of civil society organizations and human rights defenders will have a chilling effect on the promotion and protection of human rights and respect for the rule of law in the country.

“The Government must strongly condemn the threats, harassment, and intimidation of SERAP and other groups, human rights defenders and journalists and ensure a conducive environment for them to carry out their work and operate freely without any fear of reprisals.

Signed by

 Amnesty International Nigeria

Human Rights Watch

Adopt A Goal Initiative 

Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD)

Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC)

Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre

Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria)

Femi Falana SAN

Access to Justice

Sterling Centre for Law & Development

Justice Support Network

Paradigm Initiative

Connected Development (CODE)

Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA)

Justice for Peace and Development Initiative 

M.H.O.G Foundation

TechHerNG 

Sesor

Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD)

Baobab for Women’s Human Rights

Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)

Global Rights

NOPRIN

Alliances for Africa (AfA)

Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF)

Centre for Impact Advocacy

Rights Enforcement and Public Law Centre (REPLACE)

Premium Times Centre For Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ)