Responding to Nigerian authorities’ fresh allegations related to terrorism against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its leaders, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Nigerian authorities’ fresh attempts to further intimidate and harass the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) through threats of arrests of its president, Joe Ajaero.
“We urge the authorities to end this pattern of brazen impunity and respect the right of labour unions to agree or disagree with the government and its policies.
“Under international human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, freedom of association is guaranteed, and workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse.
“In the last year, Amnesty International has observed increasing attempts by the Nigerian government to silence the umbrella labour union, trying by hook or by crook to use state institutions to discredit them. This is a new low in this government’s human rights record.
“In November last year, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Joe Ajaero, was beaten and blindfolded by the police in connivance with thugs sponsored by the Imo state government in Owerri. No one was held to account for the assault. Recently, the Nigeria Police raided the headquarters of the NLC and carted away documents and books.
“After the raid, the union’s labour leaders had to go into hiding for safety reasons. In February, the leadership of the NLC cried out over the threats and intimidation they faced over a legitimate strike action.
“The Nigerian government is clearly and unlawfully interfering with the functioning of an independent workers’ union by targeting its leaders with baseless accusations that are gradually crippling the activities of the union. The organization urges the Nigerian authorities to immediately end this bizarre crackdown on the leaders of the nation’s labour union.
“The allegations against the NLC and its leadership are just punitive measures aimed solely at deterring and punishing them for standing up for workers’ rights.”