A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Sebastine Hon, hAlso, the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr Chidi Odinkalu, called on the authorities to protect the human rights organisation.
In a statement, Hon condemned in unequivocal terms the illegal occupation of the office of AI ‘by persons who appear to be having the tacit support of top government officials.’
He said: “It is on record that before this unlawful occupation, the Nigerian Army had publicly voiced its resentment against the AI’s reportage of the Boko Haram insurgency. Clearly, therefore, the protesters either have the support or the sympathy of the Nigerian Army.
“Such brazen impunity is making Nigeria a laughing stock in the eyes of the international community and should, pronto, be put to an end by the president.
“Mr. President is so far enjoying international respect due largely to his government’s stern stand on official graft. This goodwill should not be wasted through this current illegality, when better and more mature ways could have been explored to seek redress against the AI.
“The time for presidential intervention is now, since the buck stops at the President’s table.”
Meanwhile, protesters under the umbrella of Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI) wednesday barricaded the Abuja office of the organisation with a symbolic coffin bearing the inscription ‘RIP Amnesty International’.
The protest which entered the third consecutive day, showed no sign of abating as the protesters intensified pressure while insisting that the international rights group must vacate Nigeria.
The relentless protesters stormed the organisation’s office, condemning the recent report by AI where it alleged human rights abuses by Nigerian security agencies.
However, the protest wednesday took a different dimension as the protesters appeared with a coffin in front of the Al office to show sign that they are seriousness, and their not ready to throw-in the towel.
The group had last Monday warned that if AI does not shut down its operations in Nigeria and leave the country, the group as well as other Nigerians shall begin a ‘five-day occupy Amnesty International Protest’ as a warning shot.
While addressing the protest in front of AI office, the Executive head of the group, Melvin Ejeh, said AI has until 12 midnight yesterday to vacate Nigeria, saying beginning from today, legal actions would be taken against the organisation.
According to him, “We will not be cowed by name calling by Al or its affiliates in Nigeria which derive pleasure in the killing of Nigerians by Boko Haram terrorists but would continue to hold tight until every force fighting the Nigerian people is demolished and demobilised.”
Ejeh described as laughable recent report by AI that it doesn’t recognise or react to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) not registered with it as the height of AI’s penchant for trivialities and a fact that the international NGO doesn’t believe in what it preaches.
No comments:
Post a Comment