Amnesty International Demands Release Of Activist Maryam Awaisu.

Amnesty International has demanded the unconditional release of
author and human rights activist Maryam Awaisu.

Awaisu, one of the leaders of the #ArewaMeToo movement, which is
seeking justice for victims of sexual harassment, was reportedly
arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in
her office in Kaduna on Tuesday.

A statement by the Media Manager of AI Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said
the arrest appeared to be an attempt to intimidate her and
supporters of the movement.

“Authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Maryam
Aiwasu who has done nothing more than speaking up for women’s
rights,” Osai Ojigho Director Amnesty International was quoted as
saying.

“Her arrest appears to be an attempt to intimidate and harass
both her and other women supporting #AreweMeToo – a movement
seeking justice for victims of sexual violence in Nigeria.”

Ojigho added, “While arresting Maryam, the police attempted to
gain access to her laptop and mobile phone by force; this is
clearly an effort to access the sensitive evidence she and other
human rights defenders have been gathering to seek justice for
victims of sexual violence.”

For the Amnesty International Director, the arrest is
unacceptable as it might prevent victims of sexual violence from
seeking justice.

“Maryam and the other brave human rights defenders working with
the #AreweMeToo movement must not be silenced or punished for the
vital work they do,” he said.

“For too long, Nigeria’s women have been facing various kinds of
sexual violence that seldom receives proper attention from the
country’s law enforcement agencies.

“It is unacceptable that women working on behalf of these
victims are subjected to such arrest and intimidation, and we fear
that these actions may prevent victims of sexual violence from
pursuing justice.”