By Ikenwa Charity
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has denounced the National Assembly (NASS) for undermining democracy and being complicit in the violation on civil rights.
This follows the contentious bill sponsored by the Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas seeking to punish individuals who refuses to recite the National Anthem.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA described the controversial bill sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, which sought to impose harsh penalties for refusing to recite the national anthem, as evidence of the National Assembly’s role in undermining democracy.
“The bill, which has since been withdrawn, proposed fines of up to N5 million or a 10-year prison sentence for individuals who refuse to recite the national anthem, destroy national symbols, or deface places of worship with the intent to incite violence.”
HURIWA described the bill as an outrageous attempt to curtail the fundamental rights of Nigerians as enshrined in Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The right group accused the National Assembly of enacting laws that are targeted towards clamping down the civil rights of the people.
“The House of Representatives and the Senate have become chambers for incubating legislations that are targeted at whittling down the exercise of fundamental rights in Nigeria,” HURIWA asserted.
“The recent bill against those who refuse to sing the national anthem shows that the National Assembly has completely become an enemy of democracy.”
HURIWA concluded by urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue to demand their rights, even in the face of mounting repression while calling on the National Assembly to enact legislations that will foster advancement of Nigeria and its Citizens.
