Amnesty International Nigeria has issued an urgent call to the National Assembly to bolster human rights protections through robust legislative action, citing escalating concerns over repression, insecurity, and a shrinking civic space in the country.
The appeal, made on June 14, 2025, underscores the need for lawmakers to address critical gaps in Nigeria’s human rights framework amid rising violence and violations.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, emphasized the government’s obligation to uphold constitutional and international human rights laws.
“What we expect from the government is simple: respect the Constitution, respect Nigerian and international laws, and protect human rights,” Sanusi stated.
He highlighted the National Assembly’s pivotal role in enacting laws that safeguard citizens’ rights and reverse the trend of impunity fueling insecurity.
The organization’s plea comes against a backdrop of alarming statistics. A recent Amnesty report revealed that over 10,000 people have been killed in central and northern Nigeria since President Bola Tinubu took office in 2023, with Benue and Plateau states bearing the brunt of jihadist attacks, bandit raids, and communal violence.
The report criticized the Tinubu administration for failing to protect citizens’ rights to life, security, and liberty, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis.
Amnesty also pointed to specific incidents, such as the killing of at least 30 travelers in a separatist attack in Imo State on May 8, 2025, where gunmen set over 20 vehicles ablaze along the Okigwe-Owerri highway.
The attack, suspected to be linked to the Eastern Security Network, underscored the authorities’ inability to curb violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, a civil society leader collaborating with Amnesty, stressed the need for a comprehensive legislative overhaul.
“We call on the National Assembly to provide a framework that strengthens human rights protections and addresses existing gaps,” he said, announcing plans for deeper regional advocacy with Amnesty International Ghana and other West African branches through ECOWAS.
The House of Representatives has signaled some commitment to this cause. In November 2024, the House Committee on Human Rights, led by Hon. Abiola Makinde, pledged to pass the Human Rights Defenders Bill into law, aiming to enhance protections for activists and citizens. However, Amnesty warns that promises must translate into concrete action to stem the tide of violations.
Amnesty’s call also follows its criticism of the Nigerian authorities’ handling of peaceful protests, notably the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations in August 2024, where security forces killed at least 24 protesters and detained over 1,200 others.
The organization has urged the government to end its repressive tactics and ensure justice for victims of state violence.
As Nigeria grapples with economic hardship, mob violence, and unchecked armed groups, Amnesty International’s appeal to the National Assembly serves as a clarion call for legislative reform to restore trust, protect lives, and uphold the nation’s human rights obligations.
The organization remains steadfast in its demand for accountability, urging lawmakers to act swiftly to prevent further erosion of civic freedoms.
Source: Punch News
