Amnesty International calls for release of #ArewaMeToo activist, Maryam Awaisu

Amnesty International (AI) has urged the Nigeria police force to release Maryam Awaisu, an activist arrested on Tuesday.

Awaisu is one of the leaders of the #ArewaMeToo movement and was said to have been picked up by operatives of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) in Kaduna state.

The movement has been campaigning for justice for victims of sexual violence in Nigeria.

Osai Ojigho, AI director in Nigeria, argued that Aiwasu has not committed any infraction to warrant her arrest.

“Authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Maryam Aiwasu who has done nothing more than speaking up for women’s rights,” she said.

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

Ojigho also alleged that the police attempted to forcefully gain access to Awaisu’s laptop and mobile phone while trying to arrest her.

According to her, the act is an effort to “access the sensitive evidence” she and other human rights defenders have been gathering to seek justice for victims of sexual violence.

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

“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.”