Socio-Economic Rights and
Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked HYPERLINK
"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Judiciary/Pages/GKnaul.aspx" \o "Mrs.
Gabriela Knaul, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and
lawyers" Ms. Gabriela Knaul, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence
of judges and lawyers to “use your good offices and position to urgently
investigate recent reports of attack on courts and judges in Ekiti
State of Nigeria, and to make it very clear to the Nigerian government
that your mandate will not accept intimidation, harassment or any form
of attacks against judges and other actors of the justice system.” Continue...
In the petition dated 29 September 2014 and signed by SERAP executive
director Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organization said that, “Apart from
violating the rights of the judges to personal dignity and security, the
attacks also constitute a threat to the independence and impartiality
of the judiciary and the entire justice system. The attacks amount to
improper interferences and pressures on the judiciary, and can undermine
the smooth function of justice, public’s confidence in the rule of law,
effective enjoyment of human rights, and ultimately lead to people
taking the law into their own hands.”
According to the organization, “Impunity for such acts of
intimidation and harassment can also have a ‘chilling effect’ on other
judges, negatively influencing the quality of their work, forcing them
to renounce certain kinds of cases, and working in the fear that they or
their families may be at risk because of their judicial work.”
“SERAP understands that the attacks on courts and judges may have
been politically motivated. Any attack against judges is an attack
against the constitutional and internationally recognized right of the
people to access justice because it aims to discourage judges from
exercising their judicial functions independently and impartially, and
with utmost integrity and sense of security,” the organization also
said.
“We are also concerned that attacks, intimidation and threats against
judges and lawyers are likely to increase ahead of the general
elections early next year. The Nigerian government has an obligation to
provide a conducive environment and to guarantee that judges can do
their job without intimidation and without risking their safety,” the
organization also said.
SERAP therefore urged HYPERLINK
"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Judiciary/Pages/GKnaul.aspx" \o "Mrs.
Gabriela Knaul, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and
lawyers" Ms. Gabriela Knaul to:
Publicly condemn the attacks, intimidation and threats against judges in Ekiti State of Nigeria, and call for whoever is suspected to be responsible to be brought to justice promptly
Request to visit Ekiti State in order to conduct fact finding mission
and to report back to the UN Human Rights Council on your findings and
action for the Council to take;
Ask the Nigerian government to take measures to ensure effective
protection of judges and lawyers and to promote their independence,
security and freedoms.
According to reports, Mr. Justice John Adeyeye was attacked and his
suit tore while hearing a case at the Ado-Ekiti High Court premises. The
Ekiti State Chief judge, Justice A. S Daramola also had his courtroom
invaded and record shredded.
Signed
Adetokunbo Mumuni
SERAP Executive Director
29/9/2014
HYPERLINK "http://www.serap-nigeria.org" www.serap-nigeria.org
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