A Controversial post on Social Media has got Citizens Talking

The right to protest is a human right arising out of a number of recognized human rights. While no human rights instrument or national constitution grants the absolute right to protest, such a right to protest may be a manifestation of the right to freedom of assembly, the right to freedom of association, and the right to freedom of speech. Many international treaties contain clear articulations of the right to protest and it is crucial for individuals who are interested in protesting to stay up to date and aware. The right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest are crucial in a democracy - information and ideas help to inform political debate and are essential to public accountability and transparency in Government. Free speech, exercised both individually and through a free press, is a necessity in any country where people are themselves free. Freedom of speech and freedom to protest are closely linked - free speech would mean nothing if there was no right to use public spaces to make your views known. The rights to free speech and protest, along with the right to form and join associations or groups, are found in Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act. These rights can be limited by law to protect the interests of others, but only when the limitation is proportionate and necessary in a democratic society. I believe that Nigeria is a democratic society and as such her citizens possess the right to freedom of speech and peaceful protest. But a post on Facebook which has also raised the reactions of some citizens of Nigeria has made it appear as though peaceful protest is now a crime. A Facebook platform of Abia State government which is known as "Abia Mouthpiece" has made a post on Facebook which states, "THOSE PLANNING TO PROTEST AND DISRUPT THE PEACE OF OUR COUNTRY HERE IN ABUJA AND ABIA WILL BE DEATH (DEALT) WITH IF CAUGHT- DSS. The warning or threat does not specify if it meant violent protests or including peaceful protests. Below are some of the reactions of Nigerians According to the speaker in the video coverage above, a group of Abians where vehemently refused to carry out their peaceful protest in Abia state despite the people's agitation on social media. They have to travel down to Abuja, the capital territory of Nigeria to ensure they carried out their peaceful protest. This notwithstanding the Abia government still sent men down to Abuja to disrupt the peaceful protest of these Abians who are protesting that the money looted from Abians by the past government should be recovered by EFCC and returned to Abians for all-round development in Abia state according to the protest spokesman. The protest spokesman urged the EFCC to investigate their claims and make sure justice is brought to Abians. What is your take? drop it here. Nwoko Solomon Ikechukwu

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