The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC has stated that the Commonwealth is “closely monitoring developments...
The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Rt Hon Patricia
Scotland QC has stated that the Commonwealth is “closely monitoring
developments around the suspension of Twitter, and allegations of repression of
the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, media freedom, as
well as disregard for the rule of law in Nigeria.”
Ms. Scotland said: “All Commonwealth member countries,
including Nigeria, have obligations and commitments to uphold freedom of
expression as one of the core values and principles of the Commonwealth
Charter. This underscores a commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and other relevant human rights covenants and international
instruments.”
The statement by the Commonwealth followed an Urgent Appeal
by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urging Ms. Scotland
to “apply the Commonwealth Charter to hold the Nigerian government to account
over the unlawful suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, and the resulting
repression of freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.”
This development was disclosed today by SERAP deputy
director Kolawole Oluwadare.
In the Urgent Appeal, SERAP had stated that: “The Nigerian
government has repeatedly demonstrated that it is not committed to protecting
human rights. The Commonwealth should take a clear stand to ensure
accountability of institutions, freedom of expression, access to information,
and media freedom in Nigeria.”
Responding, Ms Scotland in a letter sent to SERAP, said: “I
write to acknowledge with thanks, receipt of your letter dated 5 June 2021
highlighting concerns about the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.”
The letter by the Commonwealth dated 22 July 2021, and
signed on behalf of Ms Scotland by Roger Koranteng, Officer in Charge,
Governance and Peace Directorate, read in part: “The Commonwealth
Secretary-General has been following the developments in Nigeria very closely
and she is engaging the relevant stakeholders.”
“Please be assured that the Secretariat will remain engaged
with the authorities in Nigeria and encourage a speedy resolution of this
matter.”
“All Commonwealth member countries [including Nigeria] have
committed themselves to uphold freedom of expression as one of the core values
and principles of the Commonwealth Charter, which underscores a commitment to
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant human rights
covenants and international instruments.”
Kolawole Oluwadare said: “We are very delighted that our
letter and the concerns that it raises have caught the attention of the
Commonwealth Secretary-General. Given her public record for justice and human
rights, we have absolutely no doubt that she will prevail on the President
Muhammadu Buhari administration to lift the unlawful suspension of Twitter,
respect human rights, and obey the rule of law.”
“But it should never have reached this level, as the
government has absolutely no justification to suspend Twitter in Nigeria. The
Buhari administration ought to have complied with the Commonwealth Charter and
other similar human rights standards as a matter of routine.”
SERAP’s Urgent Appeal dated 5 June 2021, read in part: “Ms.
Scotland should urgently consider recommending the suspension of Nigeria from
the Commonwealth to the Heads of Government, the Commonwealth Chair-in-office,
and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as Head of the Commonwealth to push the
government to take concrete measures to respect and promote the Commonwealth’s
values of human rights, transparency, accountability and the rule of law.”
“Nigerians can only freely participate in the democratic
processes and shape the society in which they live if these fundamental human
rights are fully and effectively-respected, protected and promoted.”
“The suspension has the character of collective punishment
and is antithetical to the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s
international obligations. Nigerian authorities would seem to be suppressing
people’s access to Twitter to exploit the shutdown to cover up allegations of
corruption, abuses, and restrict freedom of expression and other fundamental
rights.”
“The Nigerian government has also called for the prosecution
of those who violate its order suspending Twitter operations in Nigeria. This
order for the prosecution of Twitter users violates the legal rule that there
should be no punishment without law.”
“Respect for Commonwealth values is essential for citizens
to trust Commonwealth institutions. The Commonwealth ought to take a strong
stand for the protection of human rights, transparency, and the rule of law in
Nigeria, principles which are fundamental to the Commonwealth’s integrity,
functioning, and effectiveness of its institutions.”
“The suspension of Twitter in Nigeria demonstrates the
authorities’ determination to suppress all forms of peaceful dissent by the
Nigerian people. There are well-founded fears that the human rights situation
in Nigeria will deteriorate even further if urgent action is not taken to
address it.”
“According to our information, the Nigerian government on
Friday 4 June 2021 unlawfully ordered all internet service providers to suspend
Twitter in Nigeria. The suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria followed the
deletion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweets, which according to Twitter
‘violated the Twitter Rules.’”
“The suspension of Twitter in Nigeria is taking place
against the background of repression of the civic space and harassment of media
houses, and journalists who are targeted simply for performing their
professional duty.”
“The suspension of Twitter has seriously undermined
transparency and accountability in government. The lack of transparency
undermines the rule of law and Nigerians’ ability to participate in their own
government.”
“Lack of transparency and accountability, and the absence of
the rule of law in Nigeria have contributed hugely to denying Nigerians their
fundamental human rights. People have been targeted simply for using Twitter and
peacefully exercising their fundamental human rights.”
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