Amnesty International Nigeria has trained 30 young human rights defenders in Cross River State as part of efforts to strengthen civic space protection and deepen human rights awareness at the grassroots level.
The organisation said the initiative was aimed at building a network of trained advocates capable of identifying and documenting human rights violations, promoting accountability and engaging relevant institutions to address abuses within their communities.
The two-day intensive training, which was held in , was organised under the project titled “Strengthening Human Rights Defenders to Protect Civic Space,” with support from the German Embassy Fund.
Participants at the training included youth volunteers, community advocates, social media influencers and civil society actors drawn from different parts of Cross River State.
Speaking during the programme on Saturday, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Programmes Manager, Barbara Magaji, said the initiative was designed to equip young people with practical skills required to identify, document and respond to human rights violations within their local communities.
According to her, young people have increasingly become important voices in the defence of civic freedoms and democratic values, making it necessary to empower them with the knowledge and tools needed to promote justice and accountability.
Magaji explained that the training focused on several critical areas, including human rights education, documentation of abuses, digital safety, advocacy strategies, civic engagement and responsible use of social media platforms.
She noted that many human rights abuses often go unreported because victims and witnesses lack the knowledge or confidence to document incidents and engage appropriate authorities.
“Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of young defenders so they can serve as credible voices in their communities, monitor violations, document evidence and engage institutions constructively to seek justice,” she said.
She further stressed the importance of protecting civic space in a democratic society, adding that freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and access to information remain essential rights that must be safeguarded.
According to Magaji, the increasing role of technology and social media in shaping public discourse also makes it important for young activists to understand ethical reporting, digital security and responsible advocacy.
The Amnesty International official said the organisation believes empowering young people at the grassroots level would contribute significantly to building a culture of accountability and respect for human rights across the country.
Participants at the training were also educated on national and international human rights frameworks, conflict-sensitive reporting and methods of engaging security agencies and public institutions on rights-related issues.
Some facilitators reportedly highlighted the growing challenges faced by human rights defenders, including intimidation, misinformation, harassment and restrictions on civic participation in some communities.
The training sessions included practical exercises on documentation techniques, reporting standards and the use of digital tools for evidence gathering and awareness campaigns.
Participants expressed appreciation to Amnesty International Nigeria for the opportunity, describing the programme as timely and impactful.
Some of the trainees said the knowledge acquired would help them become stronger advocates for justice, transparency and community development.
They pledged to use the skills gained during the programme to educate others, promote peaceful civic engagement and support victims of abuse in their various communities.
Observers at the event noted that youth-led advocacy and community engagement have become increasingly important in addressing social injustices, especially in rural and underserved areas where access to legal support and human rights education remains limited.
The initiative also reflects growing efforts by civil society organisations to encourage active citizenship and strengthen democratic participation among young Nigerians.
Amnesty International Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to supporting human rights defenders and promoting civic freedoms across the country, stressing that sustainable democracy can only thrive where citizens are free to express themselves, participate in governance and demand accountability without fear.
The organisation added that strengthening local advocacy networks would help improve community response to human rights concerns and encourage peaceful channels for addressing grievances.
As the training concluded, participants were encouraged to continue building partnerships with community leaders, media organisations and relevant institutions in order to sustain human rights awareness and civic engagement beyond the workshop.
