Amnesty International, a leading human-rights organisation, has raised concerns over what it described as increasing clampdowns by the Department of State Services (DSS) on social media commentary in Nigeria relating to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
In a post on its official Facebook page, the organisation said at least two residents of Kaduna had been detained, with one of them reportedly facing what it described as “a sham trial based on bogus charges.”
“We have also received reports of critics of America and Israel being ‘invited’ by the DSS. These targeted acts of repression undermine trust in the neutrality of state institutions and create a toxic climate of fear,” Amnesty said.
The organisation added that speaking against policies or ideas does not amount to violence or hatred, but an expression of fundamental human rights.
“Equating criticism of the policies of the governments of America and Israel with incitement is a dangerous distortion and sends a chilling message that peaceful dissent, including that related to America and Israel, is not tolerated in Nigeria,” the group stated.
“The bizarre targeting of critics of America and Israel is being done without any legal justification, as recognised under international human rights law,” it added.
Amnesty International further warned that Nigerian authorities must stop violating human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, and allow citizens to exercise their constitutional rights and internationally recognised human rights obligations.
Amnesty International, a leading human-rights organisation, has raised concerns over what it described as increasing clampdowns by the Department of State Services (DSS) on social media commentary in Nigeria relating to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
In a post on its official Facebook page, the organisation said at least two residents of Kaduna had been detained, with one of them reportedly facing what it described as “a sham trial based on bogus charges.”
“We have also received reports of critics of America and Israel being ‘invited’ by the DSS. These targeted acts of repression undermine trust in the neutrality of state institutions and create a toxic climate of fear,” Amnesty said.
The organisation added that speaking against policies or ideas does not amount to violence or hatred, but an expression of fundamental human rights.
“Equating criticism of the policies of the governments of America and Israel with incitement is a dangerous distortion and sends a chilling message that peaceful dissent, including that related to America and Israel, is not tolerated in Nigeria,” the group stated.
“The bizarre targeting of critics of America and Israel is being done without any legal justification, as recognised under international human rights law,” it added.
Amnesty International further warned that Nigerian authorities must stop violating human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, and allow citizens to exercise their constitutional rights and internationally recognised human rights obligations.
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