President Muhammadu Buhari has been asked to direct the immediate reversal of the decision to block over 72 million active telecommunication subscribers from making calls on their SIMs.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) which made the call, urged Buhari to direct the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to unblock the lines.
“We would be grateful if the decision to block people from making calls on their SIMs is reversed within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest to ensure full compliance with human rights standards,” SERAP said.
Persecondnews.com had last week reported that the Federal Government directed telecommunication companies in the country to bar all outgoing calls on unlinked lines from April 4, 2022.
Unlinked lines are Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMS) not yet registered and linked with the National Identification Number (NIN) by users.
Reacting to the ban via an open letter signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization noted that the decision to block people from making calls is discriminatory, and a travesty, adding that it will cause a wide variety of harms to economic activity, personal safety, and disproportionately affect those on the margins of society.
According to the organisation, millions of Nigerians including persons with disabilities, elderly citizens, persons living in remote areas have been unable to capture their biometrics, and obtain their NINs due to logistical challenges, administrative and bureaucratic burdens, as well as the persistent collapse of the national grid.
“Blocking people from making calls undermines their ability to communicate freely, and associate with others. It infringes their rights to freedom of expression and family life, as well as socio-economic rights.
“The decision will have a chilling effect, dissuading the free expression of ideas and information.
“The decision to block people from making calls is also inconsistent and incompatible with the country’s international legal obligations to respect, protect, promote and facilitate economic and social rights.
“The decision contradicts the tenets of the rule of law, and a democratic society.
We support any lawful means to address the growing insecurity across the country.
“However, while the authorities have a legal responsibility to protect, ensure and secure the rights to life and property, any such responsibility ought to be discharged in conformity with human rights standards.
“While we recognize the need for your government to take measures to ensure security and safety of the people in the country, we are seriously concerned that the decision to block people from making calls appears to go beyond the restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, information, and association.
“Immediately reversing the decision would be in conformity with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations,” SERAP stated.
“Reversing the decision would also improve the confidence of the international community in human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria.”
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