King Charles III has been encouraged by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to address concerns regarding alleged human rights violations in Nigeria during President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled state visit to the United Kingdom.
According to the organization, the visit provides a chance to give accountability, the rule of law, and the defense of civil freedoms first priority.
SERAP stated that the visit should not be limited to diplomatic and commercial collaboration in an open letter dated March 18, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
According to the group, “the state visit presents an important opportunity for His Majesty to press for respect for the rule of law and the protection of human rights in Nigeria.”
The engagement offers “a timely opportunity to place human rights, accountability, and the rule of law at the center of bilateral and Commonwealth engagement,” the statement continued.
Concerns were raised by SERAP about what it saw as growing limitations on Nigerian civic space, especially the use of laws that target critics and journalists.
“The ongoing use of the Cybercrimes Act and criminal defamation laws to target peaceful expression is incompatible with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations,” the organization stated.
Additionally, it noted instances involving journalists and activists, cautioning that such behavior compromises democratic accountability.
The group declared that “no one should be arrested, detained, or prosecuted simply for peacefully exercising their human rights.”
Concerns on the situation of internally displaced people in the states of Benue, Borno, and Plateau in northern Nigeria were also voiced by the group.
The letter stated, “Thousands of displaced Nigerians continue to face serious human rights challenges and are frequently excluded from decisions affecting their lives and future.”
Many displaced people do not have access to fundamental rights including freedom of movement, healthcare, and legal safeguards, according to SERAP.
It stated that “governments at both the federal and state levels continue to fail to give the displaced people clear information about their rights and obligations.”
King Charles was asked by SERAP to use his “unique moral authority” to support changes that would improve Nigeria’s human rights protections.
According to the group, “the Commonwealth’s credibility depends on its members’ willingness to uphold shared values, including respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.”
Additionally, it demanded that journalists and activists be protected and that Nigerian authorities put an end to what it called harassment and intimidation.
Among its suggestions, SERAP urged the Nigerian government to permit independent monitoring of displacement camps, guarantee transparency in detention procedures, and restore the rights of displaced people.
Additionally, it called on authorities to establish a supportive climate for civil society and to remove charges against anyone arrested for exercising their right to free speech.
