Amnesty International To FGN: "Stop Responding with Violence and Threats to Individuals and Groups for Expressing Dissenting Opinions

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By Reporter

Amnesty International has urged the Nigeria Government to stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups for expressing dissenting opinions.

The rights group described the action as an “utter disregard for Nigerian Constitution and International Laws.”

The latest stronge condemnation followed the alleged threats and intimidation of a female NYSC Corps member, who had posted a ‘TikTok’ video lamenting the excruciating economic hardship.

Matters took wider dimensions when the member reportedly cried out that officials of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were threatening her for complaining about the hardship she was facing.

Reacting, Amnesty International, in a post on X, said instead of threatening her, the authorities “should be prioritizing addressing the country’s economic woes.

“It is perfectly within her right to express discontent peacefully. Instead of threatening her for her opinions on rampant inflation, the authorities should be prioritizing addressing the country’s economic woes.

“Millions of people in Nigeria are facing extreme poverty. So far, the authorities have failed to put in place effective mitigation measures, leaving millions of people without the hope of getting out of the economic challenges and enjoying their human rights.

“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions — in utter disregard for Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime,” the human rights organisation said.

The Corps member, identified by her TikTok name—@talktoraye had cried out about the outrageous prices of goods and services in Nigeria.

“I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get stuff, and everything has gone up again.

“It’s like every single week, prices keep increasing. I want to know, what is the government doing about this increase?

“Is there going to be a particular time when prices will stop going up?” the young female corps member stated.

She called out Nigerian President Tinubu for failing to stem the tide of inflation, especially the rising inflation and general cost of living in the country.

A section of Nigerians have praised her courage for expressing the hardship most Nigerians are facing.