SERAP, Amnesty International, and 24 CSOs Urge Tinubu Administration to Grant Nigerians Direct Access to African Human Rights Court

 

A coalition of 24 Nigerian and international civil society organisations (CSOs) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately take concrete steps to allow direct individual and NGO access to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR).

Led by prominent groups such as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International Nigeria, Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, Paradigm Initiative, Spaces for Change, and others—including Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Global Rights, HEDA Resource Centre, CLEEN Foundation, and Falana & Falana Chambers—the coalition issued a joint statement addressed to President Bola Tinubu's administration.

The organisations urged the government to make and deposit the optional declaration under Article 34(6) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Establishing the African Court. This declaration would enable Nigerians and eligible non-governmental organisations to directly petition the Court in Arusha, Tanzania, for redress on human rights violations after exhausting local remedies.

Nigeria ratified the Protocol establishing the African Court in 2004, becoming one of the states parties. However, it has not yet made the required Article 34(6) declaration, which limits direct access for individuals and NGOs. Currently, only states or specific African Union organs can bring cases directly, restricting citizens' ability to seek justice at the continental level when domestic courts fail to provide adequate remedies.

The coalition emphasised that granting this direct access would strengthen human rights protection in Nigeria, enhance accountability for violations—including those related to socio-economic rights, freedom of expression, and environmental justice—and align with Nigeria's commitments under the African Charter. They noted that several African countries have made the declaration, allowing their citizens greater recourse, while others (such as Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, and Tanzania) have withdrawn it in recent years, drawing criticism from human rights advocates.

The statement highlights the urgency of this step amid ongoing concerns over human rights enforcement in Nigeria, where domestic judicial delays and limitations often hinder effective remedies. By depositing the declaration, the government would demonstrate renewed commitment to regional human rights mechanisms and empower vulnerable citizens to seek justice beyond national borders.

The full list of signatories includes additional groups like Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), Dataphyte Foundation, DIGICIVIC Initiative, Duty Solicitors Network, Social Action, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), Center for Public Interest Law (CEPIL), CRADESC, Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), and African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL).

Civil society watchers view this call as part of broader efforts to bolster accountability and access to justice in Africa, especially as the AfCHPR remains a key avenue for addressing systemic issues where national systems fall short.