The National Human Rights Commission has condemned the Wednesday attack on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State.
This was even as the commission reiterated that in a democratic nation like Nigeria, the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression must be respected.
The commission further said human rights must be upheld no matter how uncomfortable law enforcement agents feel.
This commission’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, said this while reacting to the reported assault.
He described the attack as a flagrant violation of human rights and an affront to the principles of democracy and rule of law.
In a statement on Thursday, by the Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages Department, Agharese Arase, Ojukwu said, “Brutality on Mr Joe Ajaero, a senior labour leader, represents impunity and a direct attack on the fundamental rights of individuals to associate and express their views and opinions freely, which is the cornerstone of a democratic society like ours.”
He called on relevant authorities to investigate the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that such acts of brutality are neither repeated nor tolerated.
“It is essential that those responsible for this brutality are held accountable for their actions, serving as a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated in our society,” he added.
Contact:
