Summary
This two-year project aims to protect basic civil liberties in Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers States and to mobilize support for the domestication/mobilization of the Criminal Justice Act. The Criminal Justice Act promotes efficient management of criminal justice institutions and is important because it supports speedy dispensation of justice, protection of society from crimes and protection of the rights and interest of the suspect, the defendant and victims in Nigeria.
This project focusses on the trend of closing civic space in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers state in the Niger Delta region and focuses on three areas of concern. These are: high levels of harassment, violence and illegal detention inflicted on citizens and civil society by state agencies when exercising their rights, such as freedom of assembly and association; lack of opportunities for civil society to engage constructively with government on human rights issues; and the lack of collaboration of civil society actors on civic space concerns.
The project establishes a cluster of civil society organisation – ‘Civic Space Watch’ – that will develop campaigns to influence policy makers on the domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in Akwa Ibom and its implementation in Rivers and Bayelsa.
Aim
This project aims to increase political participation and representation of women and young people This project aims to protect civic freedoms in Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers States through increased collaboration among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and to mobilize support for the domestication/mobilization of the Criminal Justice Act.
Key activities
- Establish ‘Civic Space Watch’, a cluster of civil society organisations that will work together to campaign on closing civic space and restrictions on civil liberties in the Niger Delta
- Support regular meetings of Civic Space Watch with policy makers, that aim to influence the domestication and implementation of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act, as well as monitor progress and share challenges and achievements
- Quarterly coaching sessions to provide an opportunity for monitoring and evaluation, communication skills and peer to peer learning
- Delivery of campaigns on the domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in Akwa Ibom and its implementation in Rivers and Bayelsa with the objective of widening the civic space in these states.
Context
2020 saw the peaceful #EndSARS protests met with high levels of oppression and violence, and organizers faced actions such as a freeze on their bank accounts. In 2021, the willingness of authorities to take increasingly aggressive action and the apparent reduced tolerance for dissent and debate, was reflected in the ban of Twitter.
The situation in the Niger Delta region is a reflection of what is happening at the national-level, with civic space appearing to be increasingly restricted. However, the intersection of oil resources and revenue, highly factionalized and patronage-based politics, and historic militancy have created a particularly difficult operating environment for citizens and civil society
From 2015 to 2020, Spaces for Change recorded a total 252 incidents of government crackdown on civic space, with the Niger Delta region having the third highest figure out of the six geopolitical zones, including violations relating to press freedom, free speech, freedom of association and assembly, and religious rights.
Project results
Until now the project achieved the following progress:
Weekly radio sensitization and jingles are ongoing across the project States, advocacy messages developed, monthly virtual visits/meetings conducted, and quarterly coaching held.
Commitments received from the State Monitoring Councils on the ACJA to monitor case proceedings in courts in Bayelsa state to ensure that cases are not unnecessarily delayed including the establishment of the Citizens’ complaints desk at the secretariat of the ACJL to receive and respond to complaints from members of the public.
The weekly radio programme is contributing to increased public understanding of the ACJL across the project States, monthly virtual zoom meeting continues to create platforms for experience sharing and feedback for a harmonious working relationship with commitment received from the new Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa to give his maximum support to combat the level of police impunity in Rivers state. We also received commitment from the Divisional Police Officer of mile 1 police station to implement the right of women to stand as surety or take bail for a suspect and the development of draft advocacy message to police stations in Obio – Akpor and Port Harcourt and transmission to Palladium for approval.
Thus far, the civic space cluster continue to explore opportunities to advance civic freedoms in Akwa – Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers States through campaigns, collaboration and advocacy to state governments and other relevant bodies to open the civic space by addressing/reducing cases of police brutality, ensure the release of illegally detained citizens, implement the right of women to stand as surety or secure bail for suspects, and ensuring the speedy implementation of the ACJL across project States.
Funder
Partner
