The European Union (EU) yesterday said it was closely following recent developments in the case involving the publisher of Sahara Reporter, Omoleye Sowore and the Federal Government.

EU Ambassador, Ketil Karlsen, stated this in Abuja at an event to mark the International Human Rights Day and the grand finale of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.

The envoy noted: “As always, it is not for the EU to interfere in the judicial processes of countries where we operate but it goes without saying that we are following up very closely and we are hoping that there will be due process and the justice system will play its role as it is supposed to with full transparency which is necessary in any democracy.”


According to Karlsen, the bloc “stands very firm on the principle of freedom of speech and fundamental values as laid down in the universal declaration of human rights in the European convention of human rights.”

He submitted that in any democratic society, people must be allowed to participate as long as they seek peaceful means to voice their opinions.

Insisting that this was a crucial component of democracy, he added: “So, as a matter of principle, it is important that when somebody is detained, there is a due process that the justice system provides.”

On gender-based violence, the ambassador noted that the struggle could not be left for the international community alone, calling on government at all levels to show political will and prioritise the struggle.

However, the Executive Director of African Centre for Peace and Development, Senator Shehu Sani, has called on government to respect the constitution and the rule of law in all its dealings.

“Our human rights record as a nation presently is appalling, repugnant and odious,” he stated

The lawmaker described Nigeria as a “graveyard for human rights and a mortuary for rule of law.”

He added: “We cannot aspire to be a moral power in Africa and the world when the pages of the books of our laws and our constitution are used as toilet rolls and sanitary pads.”

Also yesterday, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) urged Nigerians to walk towards achieving a functional civil society community.

It also called for the decentralisation of the police to free it from the stronghold of the executive arm of government.

Its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko at a press conference in Abuja, stated that the civil society community “is not just about the CSOs, but about every individual asking the right questions and holding the government accountable all the times.” He added that democracy was as good as dead if Nigerians could not ask questions.

https://guardian.ng/news/were-closely-monitoring-sowores-case-eu-cautions/amp/?

E don be for this tyrant of a president. The world is watching. Small time now you go jump enter plan go hospital for UK where human right are upheld but when you come back you do as if all is well.

who gives a fvck....
we are not fightin dss for eu....

They are not serious,they should ban any Nigerian holding public office from entering Europe till the man is released .
Try this and see if he wouldn't be released in 2 days.
He is also an American for Christ sake,America should talk tough

What was European Union's reaction to the arrest, detention and long and harsh jail sentences handed down to promoters of Catalonia Republic in Spain, who engaged in civil mass protest as opposed to arm struggle?

festacman:
What was European Union's reaction to the arrest, detention and long and harsh jail sentences handed down to promoters of Catalonia Republic in Spain, who engaged in civil mass protest as opposed to arm struggle?

Who sentenced Sowore and El zazaky to jail?

And why is DSS detaining them illegally

You can't do Nada ....buhari is not scared of you.

BlackfireX:
You can't do Nada ....buhari is not scared of you.

You are number enemy of Buhari.

Keep urging him on.

Until you push him to his grave.

Someday he will cease being immuned with no diplomatic covering. That day I hope you stand behind him at the Hague and tell him they can't do anything to him.

Continue.

Interpretation: "We are closely monitoring the OIL"

Wow you get sense i must say.

meccuno:
Interpretation: "We are closely monitoring the OIL"

Story

Even if the EU or nobody can do nothing to stop buhari from his tyrannical rule bigotry nepotism n continuous destruction of our great country Nigeria God will surely put an end to his evil reign

Buhari and his advisers need to be very careful ! This Sowore’s case is not looking good for the image of this government globally !!

See as Buhari just elevated sowore to Mandela status, I keep saying that man is too dense upstairs

mamaafrik:
They are not serious,they should ban any Nigerian holding public office from entering Europe till the man is released .
Try this and see if he wouldn't be released in 2 days.
He is also an American for Christ sake,America should talk tough

Sowore is not an American. He may have a green card but he never applied for US citizenship.

And BTW, Sowore has no importance significance benefiting the US for now.

Beautyaddy:


Sowore is not an American. He may have a green card but he never applied for US citizenship.

And BTW, Sowore has no importance significance benefiting the US for now.

Sowore isn’t important but US senators are speaking out for him