HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA [HURIWA] -a civil society group committed to the promotion of democracy and development has upbraided the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force [NPF] for forcefully dispersing and arresting over four hundred peaceful agitators in Enugu, Enugu State who were democratically and peacefully canvassing for self determination.
In a statement authorized by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Chief of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NiGERIA, the pro-democracy group faulted the arrest in the most primitive and fascist fashion of the Enugu-based pro-Biafra agitators and demanded their unconditional release from the brutal detention facilities of the Nigeria Police.
Specifically, in the thinking of HURIWA, peaceful and strictly non-violent agitation for self determination by any Nigerian group is lawful locally and internationally under the Universal Declarations of Human Rights of 10th December 1948 and the International Covenant on civil and political Rights of which Nigeria is a major signatory.
HURIWA stated that; ”We totally and absolutely condemn the brutality and inhumane treatment meted out to innocent citizens who have democratically decided to openly canvass for the creation of a separate political entity because they believe that Nigeria as currently constituted has failed to advance their fundamental and inherent human rights which include right to self determination. We appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan to direct the Nigeria Police Force to either release the four hundred political detainees or order their prosecution if Government is convinced that agitation for self determination is unlawful and unconstitutonal”.
Besides, HURIWA accused the Nigeria Police of double standard by arresting Biafran agitators even when officials of state Governments of Osun and Bayelsa, President Jonathan’s home state have separately passed valid legislations creating unique flags and other symbols that are the necessary prerequisites before attainment of separate statehood from Nigeria.
The Rights group also accused the Federal Government of stiffling the growth of democracy by faing to protect lives and property of the citizenry in the North which has compelled Nigerians from the South to move away from the violent Northern Nigeria states even as the group said the failure to stop the spate of bomb attacks in the North has further impoverished millions of innocent and peaceful citizens of Northern origin including other citizens who ought to enjoy the provisions of the chapter four of the constitution of Nigeria [of 1999 as amended] to stay and do legitimate business in any part of Nigeria without let, hindrance, molestation and violent terrorism.
HURIWA said it was the inability of the Nigerian state to effectively fight corruption, provide equal opportunities and equal development including the total breakdown of law and order in parts of the country that has led some Nigerians to agitate for separate statehood and the convocation of sovereign National Conference to redress all the anomalies inherent in the present day Nigeria.
HURIWA also endorsed the agitation for the convocation of a National Conference of Nigerian nationalities and professional interest groups to work out the best way for a workable political entity for all Nigerians irrespective of status, ethnic origin, political and religious affiliations. HURIWA said the current amendment to the Nigerian constitution must also embrace the need to delete provisions that promote impunity and corruption such as section 308.
