NHRC cautions Islamic Movement in Nigeria against violent protest

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern over violent protests by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and urged members to be orderly while demanding for their rights.

Acting Executive Secretary of the commission, Mrs. Oti Ovrawah, who made the call in Abuja, yesterday, in a statement signed by the Head of Media, Fatimah Mohammad, said it was a thing of concern that the protests by the group turned violent and disrupted peace in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) earlier in the week.

According to Ovrawah, although the constitution and other international laws guarantee right to peaceful protest, the government owes citizens a responsibility to restore law and order if such protests turn violent.

She, however, called on government to take a consolidated view on all issues generating tension in the country, saying this was necessary to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of all affected persons, including the IMN leader, Ibrahim El Zakzaky, and his wife.

Ovrawah recalled that the commission had on several occasions responded to the peaceful protests and petitions of members of the IMN and made necessary recommendations to the appropriate authorities.