Thread by @SERAPNigeria

BREAKING: We condemn the reported assault today on journalists and protesters including ARISE News staff covering #SARSMUSTEND protests by soldiers in front of @nassnigeria in Abuja.

President Buhari should identify those responsible and ensure that they are brought to justice.

Nigerian authorities should also immediately release #ARISENews cameras and other equipment seized by soldiers at #AbujaProtest.

The assault is the latest in a series of attacks on the media and protesters campaigning for an end to police brutality and corruption in the country

The assault on journalists and protesters is clearly yet another orchestrated attempt by Nigerian authorities to silence those peacefully exercising their human rights.
Journalists should be able to work without being harassed or detained by security agents for doing their job.

Nigerian authorities should adopt measures to ensure that soldiers/security agents who harass and physically attack journalists are immediately suspended and appropriately prosecuted.

President Buhari government should reverse the dangerous deterioration of media freedom in the country and allow the media to perform their constitutional duties without any harassment, intimidation or attacks.

We call on the UN, EU, AU and African Commission as well as Nigeria’s international partners to promptly condemn persistent harassment, intimidation and attacks on journalists simply for doing their job, and on peaceful protesters.
@UN_SPExperts @UNHumanRights @ACHPR

We’ll continue to fight to hold President Buhari government to account for attacks on journalists and peaceful protesters.

The rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and media freedom are guaranteed under Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international law.