The Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN) has asked the national assembly to discard the social media and
hate speech bills.
The association asked the
legislature to devote its time to solving issues on poverty, insecurity, bad
roads and poor education.
Samson Ayokunle, CAN president,
made the call in a statement by Samuel Kwamkur, the national director, legal
and public affairs of the association, in Abuja, on Thursday.
The protection from internet
falsehood and manipulation bill and the national commission for the prohibition
of hate speeches bill were recently introduced in the senate and have since
passed second reading.
Some Nigerians have protested
against the bills, saying their introduction is a plot to clamp down on free
speech and public criticism.
Stakeholders in the media,
academia and civil society groups have also described the proposed legislations
as a step towards impunity.
Ayokunle said the bills have
generated fear among Nigerians, and that it will be of no good if they are
passed into law.
“These two bills have generated
so much misgivings and criticisms that they have led to uncommon tension and
fears among Nigeria’s Citizens. This is
doing no good to the fears and apprehension of the citizens already on ground
as a result of insecurity, deplorable infrastructural amenities and the general
welfare of the people,” he said.
“Having looked at all sides to
the debate, CAN is calling on the National Assembly, particularly the President
of the Senate and all distinguished Senators to discountenance the two bills
and put off completely any contemplation to pass them into Acts of the National
Assembly as sincere lovers of the nation.
“The bills, in the general view
of majority of Nigerians, and in ours too, appear to separately seek to gag
Nigeria’s citizens from speaking out freely, but responsibly on matters that
affect their lives in all spheres. This, to us, is an ill wind that will blow
nobody any good.”
Ayokunle said existing laws are
strong enough to deal with cases of hate speech.
“The Penal Code, Criminal Code,
Cyber Crime Act and other legal provisions on crimes that deal with hate
speeches, defamation, libel and similar offences are clear and strong enough,”
he said.
“In this wise, we desire that
governments at all levels and indeed members of the National Assembly pay
greater attention to the issues of insecurity, economic hardship, poverty, bad
roads, poor education and the dearth of infrastructure.
“We, therefore, call on our
governments to respect the sanctity of the Nigerian Constitution and other
extant laws and provide for all Nigerians a better nation to live in.”
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