Amnesty International, Nigeria has condemned what it described has a calculated and sinister invasion of the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja on Wednesday, by security personnel.
Armed security men had stormed the NLC headquarters as ransacked the the NLC bookshop and seized materials which they claimed were used to incite people to protest.
Reacting in a statement through its Country Director, Isa Sanusi, said the invasion undermines workers’ rights to organise, bargain collectively and take industrial action
Sanusi in the statement, said “Amnesty International strongly condemns the brazen invasion of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress by a contingent of armed security personnel.
Reacting, the global rights group strongly condemned the brazen invasion, saying it “appears to be part of a sinister and calculated attack designed to intimidate the labour union”.
“During the lawless raid, the armed security personnel ransacked books at the bookshop carrying all the materials into their van claiming that the materials were used to incite and organise the recent protest.”
“The chilling raid last night appears to be part of a sinister and calculated attack designed to intimidate the labour union.”
“We are deeply concerned about the safety of NLC officials.
“Under international human rights law and standards, trade unions cannot be targeted for their participating activities.
“Under international human rights law Nigeria has an obligation not only to respect the rights of trade unions but also to protect these rights from abuse,” Amnesty said.
