WELA Condemns Unlawful Curfews, Calls for Nationwide Ban To Shield Ladies’s Rights
Ladies Empowerment and Authorized Help (WELA) has condemned the imposition of curfews by non-state actors throughout Nigeria, describing the observe as unconstitutional and harmful, notably for girls and ladies.
In a press release issued by its founder, Funmi Falana, SAN, the organisation stated latest incidents in Ozoro, Delta State, spotlight a broader sample of illegal restrictions tied to conventional practices in components of the nation.
“The disturbing occasions just lately reported in Ozoro, Delta State, usually are not remoted. They’re the predictable consequence of a harmful and long-tolerated illegality throughout components of Nigeria: the imposition of curfews and motion restrictions by non-state actors below the guise of tradition,” the assertion learn.
WELA pressured that the difficulty goes past cultural expression, stating, “Allow us to be clear, what’s at challenge is just not tradition. What’s at challenge is energy exercised with out authorized authority.”
The group famous that throughout areas together with the South-West and Niger Delta, conventional festivals comparable to Oro, Agemo, and Ekpe typically impose motion restrictions that disproportionately have an effect on ladies, non-indigenes, and non-initiates.
“These restrictions confine residents to their houses, shut down companies, disrupt training, and, as latest occasions have proven, create environments the place abuse thrives unchecked,” the assertion stated.
Describing the Ozoro state of affairs as an excessive instance, WELA warned that such practices erode the rule of legislation and expose susceptible {groups} to hurt.
“When people or {groups} assume the authority to declare curfews, management public areas, and dictate who might transfer freely, they create circumstances the place lawlessness replaces order and the place the susceptible—particularly ladies and ladies—are uncovered to grave hurt,” it said.
The organisation emphasised that the 1999 Structure ensures basic rights, together with freedom of motion, private liberty, and safety from discrimination, including that no conventional or non-public authority has the ability to droop these rights.
“No conventional establishment, no cultural group, and no non-public particular person has the constitutional authority to droop these rights,” WELA stated.
It additional cited judicial precedents, noting that courts have constantly dominated in opposition to such practices.
“Custom can not override basic rights,” the assertion added.
WELA additionally pointed to the Violence In opposition to Individuals (Prohibition) Act, stressing that enforcement of curfews by means of intimidation or violence constitutes prison conduct.
“The place curfews are enforced by means of concern, threats, or violence, they aren’t cultural expressions, they’re prison acts,” it stated.
The organisation referred to as for pressing nationwide motion, urging authorities to declare all curfews imposed by non-state actors unlawful and to sanction offenders.
“All curfews imposed by non-state actors whether or not within the identify of festivals, rituals, or custom should be declared unlawful and prohibited throughout Nigeria,” WELA said.
It additionally referred to as on legislation enforcement companies to deal with such practices as prison offences and urged governments to obviously outline the boundaries of conventional authority.
Whereas affirming the worth of tradition, WELA stated traditions should evolve in ways in which respect human rights.
“Our festivals ought to showcase our heritage, not weaponise it. They need to entice guests, not instil concern. They need to empower communities, not degrade ladies and ladies,” the assertion learn.
The group warned that continued tolerance of illegal curfews would deepen rights violations and weaken justice programs nationwide.
“The occasions in Ozoro are a warning. If illegal curfews proceed to be tolerated, they may proceed to provide environments the place rights are violated and justice is absent,” it stated.
WELA declared: “We should select—between a society ruled by legislation or one ruled by unchecked custom.”
“For us, the selection is obvious. Sufficient is sufficient.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Times Nigeria