SAN FRANCISCO, November 28, (THEWILL) – Two U.S. lawmakers have written to the Nigerian ambassador in the U.S., Sylvanus Nsofor, over the continuous detention of Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and his co-accused, Olawale Bakare.
The congressmen, in the letter dated November 25, said there have been a number of troubling reports about Nigeria’s security agencies assaulting and detaining journalists raised concerns about the continuous harassment of journalists, activists and protesters in Nigeria.
The letter was signed by a ranking Senator, Robert Menendez, and a member of the House of Representatives, Josh Gottheimer.
Menendez serves as the Ranking Member (most senior Democrat) of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee that helps shape foreign policy of broad significance, in matters of war and peace and international relations.
He was Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the 113th Congress, where he led the effort to sanction Russia after they invaded Ukraine. In the 115th Congress, he served as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues.
The other signatory, Gottheimer, is an American lawyer, writer, and public policy adviser serving as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 5th congressional district.
The lawmakers in the letter said the attacks on journalists was an attempt to close media and civic space in the country through the use of security operatives.
Read the letter by the U.S. lawmakers below.
Ambassador Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor
Head of Mission Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
3519 International Court, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Dear Ambassador Nsofor,
“We write to express strong concern about closing media and civic space in Nigeria. There have been a number of troubling reports about Nigerian security services assaulting and detaining journalists, using excessive force on non-violent protesters and taking other actions that inhibit freedom of expression, and otherwise prevent Nigerians from fully exercising their fundamental constitutional rights.
Journalists and activists such as Omoyele Sowore, Jones Abiri, Kofi Bartels, Samuel Ogundipe, and others investigating and speaking-out about politically sensitive problems like corruption or insecurity have been harassed and detained; with reports that some have even been tortured. In at least one instance, the Department of Security Services has ignored a court order to release a detained activist.
Restrictions and deadly crackdowns on non-violent protests since 2015 have similarly reflected a lack of apparent commitment to civic freedoms which is beginning to negatively impact the image of Nigeria’s government, both at home and abroad.
Security forces used live ammunition on Shiite protestors in Zaria, Kaduna State in 2015; on protestors in Onitsha, Anambra State in 2016; again on a Shiite procession in Abuja in 2018: raided the offices of the Daily Trust, and arrested the editor in January 2019; and shot and killed Precious Owolabi, a journalist covering a July 2019 protest in Abuja.
These crackdowns have collectively killed hundreds of Nigerian citizens, and serve as troubling demonstrations of the excessive force used by the military. The alleged perpetrators of these abuses have yet to be brought to justice.
Mr. Ambassador, Nigeria has a critical role to play in preserving peace and stability in West Africa, and as the most populous democracy on the continent it could serve as a shining example of how countries can best observe the rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
However, failure to respect the rights in the Charter and those in Nigeria’s own constitution undermine your nation’s ability to lead in this arca. We urge you to ensure that the rights and liberties contained in the constitution are observed for all citizens, and to take strong action against further closing space for journalists, political opposition, and those in civil society.
The rights of all citizens must be respected without the threat of government reprisal. We look forward to seeing progress on this critically important issue.
Thank you for your attention on this urgent matter.
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