The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council and the UN Secretary-General to intervene and pressure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against deploying armed security personnel against peaceful demonstrators scheduled for October 1, 2024. This call comes in light of the escalating living costs and ongoing concerns about poor governance. HURIWA’s appeal stems from fears that the government plans to respond with excessive force, recalling the tragic events of August 2024, when more than two dozen protesters lost their lives during the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.

HURIWA issued a stark warning to military and police leaders, suggesting they could face accountability at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for any unlawful actions taken against protesters. The organization expressed frustration over the UN and international leaders’ silence regarding the violence directed at demonstrators, emphasizing that the government’s repression of civil liberties poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

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In its statement, HURIWA reminded the UN of its responsibility to protect human rights advocates and ensure Nigeria complies with international human rights agreements. The organization underscored the fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and association, referencing key provisions from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, HURIWA condemned the use of state power to suppress these essential freedoms, voicing disappointment over the lack of response from UN leadership concerning reported extrajudicial killings and insisting that security forces refrain from employing force against peaceful protests.