National Human Rights Commission: Sacking of Bukhari Bello shows trend toward authoritarianism, says SERAP

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) today condemned the recent sack of the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Bukhari Bello over his human rights activities. On Monday 19 June, 2006, the Attorney General of the Federation Mr. Bajo Ojo announced the removal of Bello from his position, and claimed to be acting on behalf of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to Ojo, the government was unhappy with the recent press briefing by Bello criticising many incidents of harassment and intimidation of journalists by security agencies and his statement at the just concluded 39th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul,The Gambia. SERAP is seriously concerned that ahead of the 2007 election the Obasanjo government has stepped up efforts to harass, attack and weaken independent human rights institutions and activists involved in promoting respect for human rights in the country.

The sacking of Bello, known for his fearless advocacy and defense of human rights and the rule of law is coming just a few days after the arrest of journalist Mike Aruleba, and demonstrates the attitude of a government increasingly becoming intolerant of the work of human rights defenders. In addition, the action by the federal government is a serious attack on the independence of the human rights commission which Bello heads, and has reduced its ability to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria. It shows a dangerous trend toward authoritarianism.

Nigeria has a clear obligation under national and international laws to respect and protect the work of human rights advocates and other members of the civil society who work to ensure that the citizens, especially the most vulnerable, fulfil their human rights and fundamental freedoms. According to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, 1993, human rights advocates should be free to carry out their human rights activities without interference.

SERAP is concerned that continuing impunity for threats, attacks and acts of intimidation against human rights defenders is undermining Nigeria’s fragile democracy and the enjoyment of human rights by the citizens. It is inconsistent with Nigeria’s promises during its recent election to the UN Human Rights Council. SERAP joins other civil society groups to condemn Bello’s removal and calls on the government of Obasanjo to immediately reinstate him to his job, and stop further attacks, intimidation and harassment of persons and organizations engaged in promoting and defending human rights.

SERAP is calling on the Nigerian government to:
•Immediately reinstate Bukhari Bello to his position as Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.

•Promote and give full effect to the UN Declaration on the rights of human rights defenders and other relevant national and international standards and treaties to which Nigeria is signatory.

SERAP also calls on the African Union Assembly due to meet in Banjul The Gambia early July to:
•Adopt a resolution condemning the removal of Bukhari Bello as Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission and requesting the Nigerian government to reinstate him back to his position without further delay.

•Call on the Nigerian government to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of human rights defenders, and stop further attacks, harassment and intimidation of human rights advocates, journalists and other members of the civil society.

•Demand that the Nigerian government take appropriate measures to address the problem of impunity for threats, attacks and acts of intimidation against human rights defenders, journalists and other members of the civil society.

•Establish a commission of inquiry to investigate all cases of harassment, intimidation and attacks against human rights defenders in Nigeria and to recommend to the Assembly appropriate sanctions it may take against the government of Nigeria.

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