Amnesty International demands unconditional release of minors detained over #EndBadGovernance protest
Amnesty International (AI) has condemned the detention of minors arraigned by the Federal Government over the #EndBadGovernment protests in August.
In a series of posts on X, the human rights organisation described the detainment of the minors as unlawful, noting that the action shows the government’s disregard for the law.
AI said the government should order an unconditional release of all the detained minors.
“Amnesty International condemns President Bola Tinubu’s government for the continued detention of minors for participating in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests,” the post reads.
“Amnesty International condemns President Bola Tinubu’s government for the continued detention of minors for participating in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests,” the post reads.
“The attempts to put the minors through a sham trial over alleged ‘treason’ shows the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law. The authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally.
“Putting minors through these horrifying detentions for participating in protests against hunger and corruption is — so far — one of the deadliest attempts to suppress freedom of assembly.
“President Bola Tinubu must unconditionally release minors detained since August.
“In Katsina, at least 12 children under 16-years-old were detained. The children ended up in detention for just being on the streets during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
“Children with their whole lives ahead of them are now at the risk of being tried on trumped up charges.
“President Bola Tinubu’s government detained these minors since August, for protesting against hunger and corruption, without access to legal assistance or family. Because of the horrifying condition of the detention many of them need urgent medical attention.
“The Nigerian authorities detained these minors unlawfully — putting them through horrifying experiences — for exercising their right to peaceful protest. Government must release them all — immediately and unconditionally.”
