SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare said civic space is knowing and fighting for your rights, fighting for your rights to freedom of expression, freedom to obtain information without hindrance, right to get bail, ex-Cetera.
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Journalists and indeed Nigerians have been charged to intensify and improve their enlightenment on human rights and civic space.
They were further charged to be bold to speak out for themselves and others whose human rights are trampled upon.
These were some of the actions suggested during an interactive session in an event held in Lagos last Wednesday. The event was organised by a human rights and advocacy organisation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
in collaboration with National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
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It was an occasion for the launching of SERAP’s first semi-annual Civic Space Monitor and 14-point Programme on Promoting Effective Implementation of Citizen’s human rights and media freedom in Nigeria.
In his keynote message, the Attorney General For the Federation (AGF) represented by Mr R. Dickson, said the role of the Media in disseminating information cannot be overemphasized, adding that there is the need for everyone to abide by the rules in fighting for their rights, however, anything outside the laws shall not be encouraged.
He noted that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of speech but “we have to be objective, balancing and fairness”.
He rated SERAP as one of the most credible human rights organisations in the country.
Mr Dickson urged everyone to queue into the Civic Space as canvassed by SERAP.
In the same vein, a representative of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mrs Jenny Tohee urged the Government, Security Agencies, Media and Civil Society Organisations to work together for a better Nigeria where the human rights of individuals no matter their position/status is well respected.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive director of SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni, represented by Deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, said the purpose of the event is a public launch of a report on ‘Civic Space Monitor and 14-point Programme on Promoting Effective Implementation of Citizens Human Rights and Media Freedom in Nigeria’
He described Civic Space as knowing and fighting for your rights, fighting for your rights to freedom of expression, freedom to obtain information without hindrance, right to get bail, ex-cetera.
He said that policies are made and in one way or the other some people are either influencing the policy, or victims of the policy or implementing the policy.
He mentioned the keywords as Civil Society, Civic Space, Democracy, Human Rights, Media Freedom and Nigeria. They are combined together to achieve a better Nigeria.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said “Civic space is shrinking around the world, and as that space shrinks, so too do human rights. Repressive laws are spreading with increased restrictions on the freedoms of expression, religion, participation, assembly and association. Journalists, human rights defenders and environmental activists, especially women, are increasingly threatened at a time when they are critically needed to ensure accountability. New technologies have helped civil society networks grow, but they have also given authorities unprecedented ability to control movements and curtail freedoms. The United Nations simply could not do its work without the active engagement of civil society”.
Dr Bunmi Afinowei of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos made the presentation of the report.
The report which covered between 1st of July 2021 and 31st of December, 2021 was prepared by Professor Oladejo Olowu.
While reviewing the report, Dr Afinowei dwelt on some of the findings of the report which include a crackdown on dissent voices, and growing attacks on activists and journalists in Nigeria.
The report focused on a 14-point programme on strengthening civic space through respect for media freedom and human rights in Nigeria.
In an interactive session and program of action, a question asked was “What can we do as citizens to protect our right to freedom of expression and media freedom?
The participants gave various answers/solutions such as ‘Speak out, Know your right, ask questions, policy reform, civil unrest, ex-cetera.