A coalition of civil society organizations in Nigeria has welcomed the Enugu State Government’s proposed Internal Security Bill, aimed at combating crimes and criminal enablers. However, they have raised concerns about potential human rights implications and called for safeguards to prevent abuse of power.
Commendable Initiative:
The proposed bill, which targets illicit spiritual practices, kidnappers, and bandits, is seen as a commendable step towards improving public safety and internal security in Enugu State. The bill’s provisions, including the registration and oversight of native doctors, herbalists, and other spiritual practitioners, are designed to sanitize practices that have historically been exploited to shield or promote criminality.
Concerns Over Human Rights:
However, the civil society organizations have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the bill on human rights, particularly in relation to:
- Mandatory surveillance by hotel operators
- Compulsory monthly reports by community leaders
- Potential property forfeitures
- Detention based on “reasonable suspicion” of loitering in forests or uncompleted buildings
Call for Inclusive Public Hearings:
The organizations are calling for inclusive public hearings to receive input from legal experts, civil society groups, traditional institutions, and affected stakeholders. They also urge the Enugu State House of Assembly to insert clear checks and oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse of power and ensure accountability in enforcement.
Ensuring Compliance with Constitutional Rights:
The civil society organizations emphasize the need to ensure compliance with constitutional rights to fair hearing, protection from arbitrary detention, and freedom of belief. They also call for clear definitions and guidelines to law enforcement officers on the application of the law to prevent misuse.
