US, UK, EU Envoys Reject FG Position On Twitter Ban After Meeting

Posted by Thandiubani on Tue 08th Jun, 2021 - tori.ng

The countries insisted that the suspension of Twitter in the West African nation is a violation of freedom of expression.

Twitter

The position of the federal government on its decision to ban Twitter has been rejected by the envoys of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the Republic of Ireland and the European Union in Nigeria, on Monday.

The countries insisted that the suspension of Twitter in the West African nation is a violation of freedom of expression.

The ambassadors stated this at a meeting with the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja today.

The minister had invited the ambassadors to the meeting over their recent comments on the suspension of the microblogging site in Nigeria.

Tecall that the envoys had in a joint statement on Saturday, said banning systems of expression is not the way forward.

The statement partly read, “The diplomatic missions of Canada, the European Union (Delegation to Nigeria), the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America convey our disappointment over the Government of Nigeria’s announcement suspending #Twitter and proposing registration requirements for other social media.

“We strongly support the fundamental human right of free expression and access to information as a pillar of democracy in Nigeria as around the world and these rights apply online as well as offline.

“Banning systems of expression is not the answer. These measures inhibit access to information and commerce at precisely the moment when Nigeria needs to foster inclusive dialogue and expression of opinions, as well as share vital information in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.”