The National Human Rights Commission has expressed concern over alleged threats to Amnesty International by some aggrieved groups in the country.
The organisation warned the persons behind the threats to desist from such actions.
The NHRC said the warning became necessary following the gathering of some groups outside the premises of AI in Abuja requesting them to leave the country.
A statement issued on Tuesday night by the Director (Corporate Affairs and External Linkages), Lambert Oparah, quoted the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu as warning that “nobody or institution has the right to oust any lawful organization from exercising its freedom of association and expression in Nigeria without an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.”
The commission cautioned anybody, group or institution “responsible for such unwarranted threat to desist forthwith from such acts.”
Ojukwu said, “Amnesty International is an organisation with a global presence, working in strategic areas to ensure protection of human rights, the security and safety of citizens and poverty eradication among others.
“It will therefore serve no purpose to engage in campaign of calumny against the body just to discredit it because of differences of opinion.
“The commission is urging the AI to remain focused on its efforts to entrench good governance and not allow itself to be cowed by any threat, assuring them of our unwavering support as a reliable partner for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.”
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