Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
317. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made on behalf of the Irish Government to further highlight and end the EndSARS campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39616/20]
View answerIreland is strongly committed to promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to peaceful demonstration. The #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, which took place in a number of cities including Abuja and Lagos, were in reaction to allegations of excessive use of force and other abuses committed by a unit of the Nigerian police, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit. While the protests were largely peaceful, there were credible allegations of the use of excessive force against protesters.
Of particular concern were reports that armed personnel in military-style attire fired live rounds towards a group of protesters in the Lekki area of Lagos on 20 October, causing numerous casualties. The Nigerian army has denied using live ammunition against civilians. An investigation of these events is currently ongoing in Nigeria.
Ireland, together with the European Union, believes that it is essential that these allegations are thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are held to account. This echoes the calls by UN Secretary General and the African Union for a speedy investigation and for an end to reported police brutality and abuses.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced on 12 October that the SARS police unit would be disbanded, which had been one of the main requests made by protesters. In an address to the nation on 22 October, President Buhari set out a number of steps his Government intends to take, including: the establishment of State Judicial Panels of inquiry; the establishment of human rights complaint mechanisms; and the establishment of a fund for the compensation of victims. Work has begun on these potentially significant measures, which have helped calm the situation.
The Nigerian National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has formed an Independent Investigative Panel to investigate allegations of abuse against the now-disbanded SARS police unit. Work by the Panel, which includes civil society and youth representatives, is currently ongoing.
The concrete efforts of the Nigerian Government in addressing the demands of the #EndSARS movement were most recently acknowledged in the joint statement EU-Nigeria Ministerial Dialogue that was held on 18 November. In this Dialogue, the importance of respect for human rights, including the right to peaceful demonstration, was reiterated at the highest levels.
The Embassy of Ireland in Abuja continues to actively monitor developments on the ground and, working closely with our EU partners, to engage with the Nigerian authorities.
