A coalition of civil society organisations, under the aegis of the United Action for Democracy, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately and unconditionally release the leader of the Palestinian Community in Nigeria, who was arrested by the anti-terrorism squad in Abuja.
The Coalition faulted the Nigerian authorities for allegedly abducting leaders of the Palestinian community, adding that the manner of their arrest “violates due process and globally recognised fundamental human rights principles, tenets and conventions, which Nigeria is party to.”
The group made the call in a statement dated Wednesday, where the Executive Director of the UAD, Kunle Ajayi, also urged the government to respect the rights of Palestinians in Nigeria, adding that the country must not allow itself to be dragged into the burning crisis in the Middle East.
“We call on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately and unconditionally release Ramzy Abu Ibrahim and all other detained Palestinian community leaders.
“The recent arrest of leaders of the Palestinian community in Nigeria has sparked outrage and deep concern, following reports that Nigerian security forces abducted them in a manner that violates due process and globally recognised fundamental human rights principles, tenets and conventions, which the Nigerian state is party to.
“Nigeria can ill afford being dragged willy-nilly into the Middle East burning crisis. It is apposite to note that we are battling with a battered economy, fragile security, farmers/herders clashes and orgies of social vices. Nigeria cannot blindly be deployed as a proxy, errand tool in Israel v Palestine belligerences,” the statement read.
The groups also urged the government to respect the rights of Palestinians in Nigeria and ensure they weren’t subjected to harassment, humiliation or political repression, while also calling for a review of agreements with the Israeli government that compromised Nigeria’s independence.
They also called on Nigerians to stand on the side of justice, by not allowing their territory or institutions to be used to stifle voices calling for freedom, dignity and peace in Palestine.
“Review and reconsider any agreements with the Israeli government that compromise Nigeria’s independence and undermine the democratic rights of residents within its borders. Nigeria must stand for justice and not allow its territory or institutions to be used to stifle voices calling for freedom, dignity, and peace in Palestine,” the statement concluded.
Among the organisations that co-signed the statement are All Workers Convergence, Lagos State Liberation Congress, Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights, Centre for Human Rights Advocacy, Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence, Peace Initiative for Better Nigeria, and Youth League Academy.
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