Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a statement on September 6 condemning the treason charges against protesters in Nigeria. A total of 124 people were arrested during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign in August, with 10 facing treason charges, a crime punishable by death. HRW’s Anietie Ewang criticized the charges, warning that the Nigerian government’s actions reflect an intolerance for dissent and deepen public mistrust.

The 10 individuals charged with treason appeared in the Abuja Federal High Court on September 2, accused of attempting to destabilize Nigeria and inciting mutiny. Despite Nigeria’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly, the protests, which stemmed from economic frustration, were met with a police crackdown that resulted in 21 deaths.

A new online movement, #FearlessInOctober, hints at a possible revival of protests, despite the state’s suppression of the August demonstrations.