MRA, CDD, CODE, CISLAC Others Defy FG, Say “We Will Keep Tweeting”
Leaders of over 20 Civil Society Organizations have jointly signed a statement defying the Federal Government’s order banning Twitter in the country.
The Civil Society groups include: Paradigm Initiative (PIN), EiE Nigeria, Centre for Liberty, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC),TechHerNG, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, Concerned Nigerians, Yiaga Africa, Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI), Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF), Media Rights Agenda, Connected Development [CODE] / Follow The Money, Dataphyte, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Lex Initiative for Rights Advocacy and Development (LIRAD), Centre for Impact Advocacy (CiA), Citizen Gavel.
Others are: Education as a Vaccine, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, Raising New Voices Initiative, BudgIT, Youth Alive Foundation (YAF), Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).
While acknowledging the Attorney General of the Federation’s threat to arrest anyone who continues to use the platform, the groups categorically stated that they will continue to use the platform , describing the threat as “a violation of human rights and an utter abuse of power”.
The statement read, “We are leaders of civil society organisations that work on governance, corruption, elections, digital rights & inclusion, women’s rights and journalism in Nigeria.
“We strongly support statements released by various civil society organisations and other stakeholders, condemning the suspension of the microblogging platform, Twitter, in Nigeria, as this represents a continued assault on the civic space and anti-democratic clampdown on free speech.
“We are also aware of the statement credited to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, threatening to arrest anyone who continues to tweet after the announced suspension.
“We, therefore, wish to categorically say that we, as individuals, and our organisations, do not know any law that the act of sharing information breaks, and will continue to use Twitter, other social media platforms, and other media channels, to share information and engage with citizens.
“We note that Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) makes it impossible to convict any person for a criminal offence if that offence is not defined and its penalty not prescribed in a written law. On the power of Section 36(12) which protects a fundamental human right, we therefore note and state unequivocally that the Attorney General’s statement threatening to prosecute citizens using Twitter contravenes the Constitution and is a violation of human rights and an utter abuse of power.
“We stand with Nigerians who continue to exercise their fundamental human rights, especially as we will be celebrating Democracy Day on Saturday, June 12.
“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!