Amnesty Int'l, Sowore, Falana tasks media on human right violation

Amnesty International and a group of human rights activists in Nigeria, including Mr. Femi Falana, SAN; Richard Akinnola, and Omoyele Sowore, called on the media yesterday to actively report instances of human rights abuses perpetrated by the current administration.

During a one-day discussion with selected media outlets and human rights organizations, representatives from Amnesty International and the activists underscored the crucial role of the media in holding the current government accountable. They stressed the necessity for vigilant reporting on all cases of human rights abuses.

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Chairman of Amnesty International Nigeria’s Board of Trustees, clarified the objective of this collaborative effort, stating, “This synergy aims to provide media practitioners with a unique opportunity to directly engage with representatives of Amnesty International. Through this platform, we will address your questions and concerns, offering insight into our human rights agenda and strategy. We eagerly anticipate further collaboration with the media in our pursuit of fairness and justice for everyone in the country.”

In his remarks, Mr. Falana expressed dismay over Nigeria’s robust human rights laws, observing that they often remain unimplemented when the need arises.

Richard Akinnola also spoke, cautioning the media not to let its guard down. He emphasized that past instances of human rights abuses could resurface, urging the press to actively identify signals of such infractions, thereby contributing to social changes within the environment. Akinnola advocated for a partnership between the press and the human rights community, particularly with Amnesty International, highlighting the mutual benefits of such collaboration. He warned against complacency, stating, “If we ignore these infractions with an attitude of nonchalance, we may inadvertently harm our own interests.”

Omoyele Sowore added a warning, highlighting the potential emergence of informal human rights abuses where the government uses proxies to commit various forms of rights violations in the country.