You are here: > The Issues > Human rights

Human rights

Human rights abuses are common in the Niger Delta where large sections of society are considered criminals by the state.

The aim of SDN's human rights work is to improve understanding and documentation of human rights in the Niger Delta by civil society actors and to foster a grassroots network, with international support, that reinforces the application of human rights in daily life.

SDN aims to provide information on human rights and to support communities in the understanding of their basic rights.

Nigerian activist brutally attacked by police

August 1, 2010: Nigerian police officers have attacked a local activist and his friend by driving sharpened sticks into their heads outside the Divisional police headquarters at Kpor in the Niger Delta.

Activists assaulted and illegally detained by Nigerian police

Amnesty International today called on the Nigerian authorities to launch immediate investigations into the assault and detention of three human rights activists by police in the city of Port Harcourt.

Isaac Asume Osuoka, AkpoBari Celestine and Ken Henshaw from non-governmental organisation Social Action, which campaigns for environmental justice and human rights in Nigeria, were stopped and detained by police on 5 April after leaving their office.

Rough Justice – Conditions at Port Harcourt Maximum Prison

Maximum Prison is a multi-purpose prison and the largest in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria. Originally the prison was built to house 804 inmates but today houses upwards of 2500 people including women and minors.

Reports state that over 90 percent of inmates have yet to face any trail for their alleged crimes.