ITUC-Africa opposes clampdown on journalists, CSOs
30 August 2024 |
4:04 am
African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has cautioned the continent’s leaders against wanton arrest and detention of civil society and media practitioners.
African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has cautioned the continent’s leaders against wanton arrest and detention of civil society and media practitioners.
Its General Secretary, Joel Odigie, who gave the warning yesterday in a statement, said the labour group was worried that the abilities and possibilities of non-state actors and human rights defenders to contribute towards attaining Africa’s aspirations were coming under renewed attacks by some governments.
The regional confederation claimed that in Nigeria, some government agencies confiscated some bank accounts and labelled individuals persona non grata on allegations of funding the August 1-10 #EndBadGovernance protest.
The body also pointed out that the government of Zimbabwe rounded up CSOs and trade union leaders on the pretext that it wanted to prevent alleged planned protests during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State Summit in Harare.
On the unsavoury experiences of journalists, ITUC-Africa observed that investigative journalists, activists and protesters were not speared. Odigie added: “Several journalists were rounded up, abducted and arrested in a Gestapo manner from their homes in the wee hours, staked and taken to unknown destinations and denied legal rights and representation. Criminalising citizen activism by these African governments and others are alarming and unacceptable.”
ITUC-Africa stressed that it sees trumped-up accusations and actions against CSOs, journalists, activists and citizens as weighty, sweeping, and dangerous, stating: “We reject them and call on the Kenyan, Nigerian, Zimbabwean and other African governments to rethink and retrace their approaches and actions to dealing with internal governance issues rather than seek scapegoats.”
It insisted that protests are tools for ensuring citizens’ participation in democracy and securing accountability. The organisation maintained that regime change in a civil rule should only happen via the constitutionally and legally prescribed instruments within the continent’s different democracies, pledging: “We shall continue to oppose undemocratic changes in power on the continent. We shall remain a critical and robust voice for participatory democracy and good governance.”
Related
2 hours ago
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has inaugurated a Chemical Forensics Laboratory at its Zonal Directorate in Port Harcourt, marking a significant advancement in its investigative capabilities. The new facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology, enables the EFCC to independently conduct comprehensive analyses of petroleum products, a move that will streamline investigations into oil-related crimes,…
3 hours ago
In an effort to restore sight and transform lives, the Olabode Fayemiro Foundation in partnership with the esteemed Eye Foundation Hospital have launched a transformative initiative, "Bringing Clear Vision to 2,000 Lives." The aim of the initiative is to provide free eye care and surgeries to individuals with limited access to healthcare in Ibadan and…
3 hours ago
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has said that 22,239 Police personnel would be deployed to Ondo State for next Saturday's governorship election in the state. Egbetokun who disclosed the stakeholders meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Akure on Thursday observed that the success of any important process like…
4 hours ago
Advocates for increased youth representation in governance under the auspices of the Nigeria House of Commons have lamented the low turnouts of young people in electoral politics despite the introduction of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run legislation six years ago. Worried by the development, the body has introduced an initiative powered by the Africana League in partnership with…
12 hours ago
The Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has expressed sadness over the death of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja. The Presidency, in a statement released by President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, announced that Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a…
12 hours ago
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the welfare of children, women, and gender equity, the Commissioner for Children and Gender Affairs in Enugu State, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, will be honored at the prestigious South East Iconic Women Awards.
1 day ago
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has ordered the immediate suspension of all non-statutory deductions, notably cooperative associations and commodity vendors’ deductions from salaries of government workers. This comes on the heels of multiple complaints raised by workers regarding deductions made through the state payroll system. READ MORE: Zamfara leads Nigerian states in IGR growth, BudgIT…
1 day ago
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has sent a message of congratulations to Donald Trump on his recent election as the 47th President of the United States. In a statement by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POM) Spokesman Ibrahim Umar, Obi expressed hope that Trump’s victory would serve to…
1 day ago
Chief Edwin Clark has questioned the legitimacy of recent rulings by Justice James Omotoso and the Court of Appeal concerning the Rivers State House of Assembly. Clark argues that the judgements were "obtained by fraud" and that key information was withheld from the court by the plaintiffs, including former Speaker Rt. Hon. Martins Amawhule. Clark…
1 day ago
The Federal Government has explained why it disclosed the availability of the N200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), facilitated through the Bank of Industry (BOI) nationwide. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Tola Adekunle-Johnson, spoke Tuesday at a town hall meeting held in Abuja…
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.