As Nigeria gears up for nationwide protests scheduled for April 7, 2025, Amnesty International has urged the government to protect citizens’ rights to free expression and peaceful assembly. The demonstrations are being organized in response to what activists view as an increasing suppression of dissent, particularly through the application of the Cybercrimes Act.
In a public statement, Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, called on authorities to ensure that security forces respect and support citizens’ right to protest peacefully. He emphasized that this right is protected by Nigeria’s constitution as well as international human rights agreements such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
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Sanusi cautioned the government against attempts to silence or intimidate peaceful demonstrators, noting that any action aimed at restricting lawful assembly would be unlawful and reflect a growing intolerance of dissenting voices.
“The government must not exploit the upcoming protests as an excuse to suppress civil liberties or clamp down on human rights,” Sanusi stated. “Citizens should be free to gather and voice their concerns without fear of intimidation or violence.”
He also called on officials to refrain from using language that could demonize protesters or discourage lawful dissent. According to Amnesty International, peaceful demonstrations are a vital part of a functioning democracy and should be protected, not hindered.
The human rights organization highlighted concerns over the misuse of legal frameworks, such as the Cybercrimes Act, which critics argue are being weaponized against journalists, activists, and opposition figures.
Amnesty International concluded by urging the Nigerian government to uphold both domestic and international legal commitments, ensuring that the rights to freedom of speech, peaceful protest, and association are fully respected.
