An Islamic human rights organization, group reacts to arrest of Sowore

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore.

Its leader, Ishaq Akintola, in a statement Saturday night, urged the Department of State Service (DSS) to respect Sowore’s “Allah-given fundamental human rights”.

MURIC said he must not be subjected to inhuman treatment as Section 34 (b) & (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended (2011) provides that everyone is entitled to respect his or her dignity.

“The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Article 4, Clause 1 & 2 also says, ‘Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person.’ Sowore must, therefore, be allowed access to his family members and physician. He must also be treated with civility”, it added.

“Although we do not subscribe to the call for any revolution because we do not see the need for it in view of the commitment of the present administration to good governance, we deem it fit to call for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained activist. In the alternative, he must be arraigned before a competent court at the shortest time possible.

“Finally, we remind the DSS of the provisions of Article 7(b) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which stipulates the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court or tribunal. Nigeria is a signatory to this charter and the DSS cannot pretend to be unaware of it.”