Human rights and media groups have called on President Bola Tinubu’s government, state governors, lawmakers, and other authorities to stop harassing journalists, activists, bloggers, and civil society organizations (CSOs) for peacefully exercising their rights.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) warned that the use of provisions in the Cybercrimes Act, criminal and penal codes, and other laws to target critics threatens democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
The groups demanded the immediate release of individuals arbitrarily detained and condemned the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) to intimidate media workers and activists.
Their statement followed a press conference and interactive session titled “The Escalating Restrictions on Civic Space, Media Freedom and the Deterioration of Rule of Law in Nigeria”, held at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, to mark International Human Rights Day. NIM
