By, Springnewsng media limited April 7,202

As tensions rise ahead of the planned nationwide protests set for Monday, April 7, 2025, Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian government to respect citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeriahttp://Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, emphasized the legal obligation of Nigerian authorities to protect citizens who choose to express their opinions peacefully. He warned against any attempt by security forces to intimidate, harass, or unlawfully detain protesters.

“The Nigerian authoritieshttp://Nigerian authorities must ensure that security agencies respect and facilitate the right to peaceful protest, as guaranteed by the Constitution and international treaties Nigeria has ratified,” Sanusi stated.

The protests, being organized by several civil society groups, are in response to growing concerns over what they describe as the shrinking civic space in Nigeria. Critics point to the alleged misuse of the Cybercrimes Act to clamp down on online dissent, as well as increased surveillance and intimidation of human rights activists and journalists.

Michael Christian, Amnesty’s Social Media and Communications Officer, added that the planned protests should not be used as a pretext to violate human rights. He cautioned against any actions by authorities that may infringe on fundamental freedoms.

“Authorities must not use the proposed nationwide protests as a ploy to crack down on human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” he said. “Suppressing peaceful dissent only undermines the democratic values Nigeria claims to uphold.”

Amnesty International also condemned inflammatory statements by some public officials that could further endanger protesters or encourage violence against them.

The rights organization sees the upcoming protest as a litmus test for Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

“This is an opportunity for the government to demonstrate its willingness to uphold constitutional rights and international obligations,” the statement read. “Peaceful protest is not a crime. It is a democratic right.”

Nigeria remains a signatory to several international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which explicitly protect the freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.

With public attention now focused on Monday’s demonstrations, human rights advocates are urging the government to act responsibly, avoid repression, and ensure the safety and dignity of every citizen exercising their right to protest.

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