If Nigerians fail to rise up
against the proposed law to regulate activities of civil society organisations
(CSOs), the effects will be devastating, Amnesty International has warned.
Amnesty said the bill is capable
of “shrinking the freedom of Nigerians”.
Despite the opposition the bill
has faced, the House of Representatives announced on Monday that it would push
through with a public hearing, having passed second reading.
The public hearing on the bill is
slated for December 13 and 14.
Amnesty on Tuesday said the
Nigerian government and people in power are currently “trying to rush this bill
through, in order to quickly silence us”.
It said: “The Nigerian government
has just announced a public vote on a designed bill to take away the freedoms
of Nigerian people. And if don’t act now and vote against it before the 14th of
December, when the public hearing finishes, it could be too late.
“The bill will have devastating
effects on Nigerians which is why they are trying to pass it as quickly as
possible, before too many people take action to stop it.
“The so-called ‘NGO’ bill will
keep Nigerians from freely sharing their opinions, holding open discussion
forums or organizing people to protest.”
Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Oby Ezekwesili, a former minister
of education and senator Shehu Sani are some of the high-profile proponents of
the bill.
Bala Jubril, sponsor of the bill
and deputy leader of the house, in September said there was no going back on
the proposed legislation.
He had said: “Its passage will
regulate registration, funding and use of foreign consultants by certain aid
donors and organizations providing humanitarian services in the country.”
The bill, which has seven
chapters and 58 clauses, states that “funds pledged by donors (to NGOs) must be
disclosed before implementation of project, including mode of disbursement and
condition attached to the funding by donor,” among other highlights.
Shortly after the bill came to
life, Odinkalu had released a video explaining its consequences and impact on
religious bodies, humanitarian agencies and also the traditional esusu system.
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