2019-08-06 03:22
Nigeria Must Release Owner of Sahara Reporters News Agency Omoyele Sowore
The Journalist Support Committee urges the Nigerian authorities to respect the rights of the journalist and founder of the news agency Sahara Reporters. If there is no charge to be brought against him he should be released immediately.
On Saturday morning operatives from the Department of State Services arrested Mr. Omoyele Sowore from his home. His arrest was reportedly due to his role in organising a protest against the government.
The arrest of Omoyele Sowore comes in the context of a wider crackdown on freedom of speech and freedom of association in Nigeria. Nigeria is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and therefore is required by international law to uphold Article 19 and Article 22 of the ICCPR which protect freedom of expression and freedom of association respectively.
Journalist Support Committee - Switzerland
4 August 2019
