The United States Government has urged President Bola Tinubu to set up a panel to investigate the security agencies that abused the human rights during the EndSARS nationwide protests in 2020.
The US government stated this at the United Nations Human Rights Council 4th cycle Universal Period Review of Nigeria in Geneva, Switzerland.
While addressing some human rights concerns in Nigeria, a representative of the US government asked the Federal Government to take steps to implement the EndSARS report.
It also urged the federal government to amend the Nigerian Press Council Act to remove restrictions on freedom of expression and review the standard operating procedure of the armed forces to protect human rights, according to Political Nigeria.
“Our main concern is on certain restrictions on Nigerians on the enjoyment of human rights. In the spirit of constructive engagement, we recommend that Nigeria implement recommendations from state level investigations panel report on security forces response to the #EndSARS protests including prosecution as appropriate of the individual implicated in the reports,” the US government said.
The US government also called for an end to the prosecution of LGBT persons as well as amend the armed forces standard of procedures.
” Amend the Nigerian Press Act of 1992 to remove restriction on the freedom of expression specifically as it applies to online and citizen journalists. End the arbitrary arrest and prosecution of LGBT persons and amend the armed forces standard operating procedure to ensure the protection of human rights and fundamental freedom of all Nigerians,” the US government added.
In his remark, the Attorney General of Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), appreciated the UN Human Rights Council’s interest in the affairs of Nigeria and the recommendations that had been made.
“The issue of credibility of any election in Nigeria does not arise. Election is a process and until the Supreme Court makes any pronouncement, it cannot be regarded as having come to an end. A pronouncement has been made in respected of the Presidential election and just last week, the last pronouncement was made in respect of governorship elections. The issue of credibility does not arise at all. It has been confirmed to be in conformity with the laws guiding the conduct of elections in Nigeria,” Fagbemi added.