A group, Center for Human And Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has demanded that the National Assembly halt further deliberations on a bill before it, which allegedly attempts to criminalize peaceful protest.
Describing it as a clear perfection of route back to dictatorial tendencies by anti-democratic forces in Nigeria which must not be allowed.
CHSR made the assertion at a press conference held at its liberation centre in Lagos on Tuesday 9th of May, 2023.
The group faulted the premise of the Bill, noting that democratic governance holding sway in Nigeria today was occasioned by peaceful agitations and that it only signals a revert back to the old order if the bill is accorded live through the parliament.
Addressing newsmen in a press parley, CHSR President Comrade Alex Omotehinse cited the indicators of repressive machinations hell bent on according peaceful protest criminal connotations.
Omotehinse said: “The latest attempt to criminalize protest by the national assembly is indeed a reflection of the depth to which anti-democratic forces are perfecting the coup to return Nigeria to the era of dictatorship.
“With the huge controversies trailing the conduct of 2023 presidential election, the resurgence of the bill to criminalize protest is no doubt an indication of the desperation to curtail freedom of expression and rights to demand just, accountable and transparent governance by organised platforms of civil society and by extension the generality of the citizenry.”
The CHSR while critiquing the bill sponsored by Emeka Chinedu Martins of the House of Representatives which prescribed five year jail term for unlawful protesters in Nigeria and already at the second reading stage in the lower chamber, alerted the public on the need to stop it forthwith.
“The bill amongst other obnoxious provisions seeks to amend the Criminal Code Act, Cap 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 supposedly “to preserve the sanctity of human life and property, and to provide specifically for the crime of mob action, prescribe punishment and other matters.”
“The struggle for democracy in Nigeria was won largely on account of the expression of the right of citizens to protest under successive military regimes.
“Even at the grave risks of physical harm and mental exhaustion under military rule, Nigerians remained unwavering and unbowed in the face of dictatorial tendencies of fascists who sought to deny the right to peaceful protest with the aid of draconian decrees.
“CHSR views the provisions of the bill as deliberate attempt to criminalize peaceful protests and cow Nigerians into further submission under the guise of protecting public property.
“We view strongly that the right to peaceful protests which is guarantee by the Constitution has been subjected to grievous attacks by this vexatious bill and must therefore be vehemently rejected by Nigerians.” Omotehinse said.