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The Project on Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability (SERAP) asked Mr. David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, to call on Senate President Bukola Saraki and the entire leadership of the Senate of Nigeria to immediately withdraw a bill aimed at undermining the freedom of the media recognized in the country by the Constitution and the international community. "
and strong opposition to that.
But in a petition dated July 27, 2018 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Timothy Adewale, the organization said: "The criminalization of media freedom would not only violate the rights of journalists and professionals media to carry out their legitimate work but Nigerians and others in the country to be informed of events of critical importance and participate in the process of governance.The bill would intensify threats and increasing attacks on the right to freedom of life. Expression and freedom of the media and would have a powerful chilling effect throughout the country. "
The organization also said:" The bill proposed by the Senate independence and diversity media in the country and shows the lack of understanding of the essential role of independent media in the sustainability of the country's democratic dispensation.SERAP believes that a media free and independent would facilitate public participation, government accountability and improve democratic institutions. "
The petition addressed to Mr. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in part:" In addition, the Senate is partly due to " an increasingly irresponsible prioritization of "enemy" journalists of political leaders and aims to stifle public debate on issues such as allegations of corruption in the Senate and investigative reporting in the public interest. Bill would also restrict the free flow of information and ideas, which is one of the most effective ways of fighting corruption and empowering public servants, including lawmakers. "
is pushing hard to accelerate the passage of this heinous bill, which has already passed second reading. SERAP is concerned that the bill may contravene Nigeria's international legal obligations, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Human Rights. corruption. . "
" SERAP is seriously concerned that the Senate leadership is pushing to pass an anti-media bill entitled: "A Bill to Repeal the Nigerian Press Council Act, 1992 (Amended) Act" of the 2018 Council. "The Nigerian Press Council bill is essentially aimed at criminalizing journalists and the practice of journalism in the country."
"The bill reproduces some of the most repressive provisions of similar laws known under the name of the Decree on the Registration of Newspapers, Decree No. 4 of 1984 on Protection Against False Accusations, and the then military government used Decree No. 4 to imprison journalists. bill seeks to establish the Nigeria Press Council to usurp the powers of the courts by assuming extra-judicial powers.Under this bill, anyone who is not a 'journalist registered ", but who practices or uses a description that is one, commits an offense and is liable to a term of imprisonment, a fine or both.
SERAP therefore asked the Special Rapporteur:
to publicly express his concerns about the bill and to insist that the Senate of Nigeria immediately withdraw the bill
To publicly press the Speaker of the Senate and leaders to act consistently to respect Nigeria's constitutional and international human rights obligations, including those requiring all authorities to take action so that the independent media can continue to play a central role in the country.
use their legislative powers to promote freedom of the media, the independence of the media and diversity
Urge the President of the Senate and the leaders of the Senate of Nigeria to allow the right to liberty expression and freedom of the media without fear of criminal prosecution, and not to consider unacceptable restrictions to these constitutionally and internationally recognized freedoms
Urging the President of the Senate and the leaders of the Senate of Nigeria to fundamental right of all to access free and unhindered information
Urge the Speaker of the Senate and the leaders of the Senate of Nigeria to take measures to put an end to any initiative aimed at restricting the freedom of the media before the general elections of 2019 [19659010] Related
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