Simon Ekpa-led United States of Biafra warned the Nigerian government that tagging Biafrans as terrorists is a violation of human rights.
The Deputy Prime and Chief of Staff of USB, Dr Ngozi Orabueze, disclosed her X account in a statement on Sunday.
According to her, the decision comes after the USB cabinet meets on Saturday to pass a ‘Rights to Self Identity Bill 29.’.
She noted the Nigerian government’s need to recognise that Biafrans have the rights to life, physical and mental integrity, liberty and security of person, and the collective right of Indigenous Peoples to live in freedom, peace, and security.
This comes as Orabueze warned against intimidation, harassment, and attacks against Biafrans.
“The United States of Biafra reaffirmed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which addresses the individual and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“To recognise also that Biafrans have the rights to life, physical and mental integrity, liberty and security of person, and the collective right of Indigenous Peoples to live in freedom, peace, and security is non-negotiable.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples emphasises the importance of meaningfully engaging Indigenous Peoples in peace agreement negotiations, transitional justice processes, conflict resolution, mediation, and constructive arrangements.
“This follows the rise in intimidation, harassment, and reprisals against Biafran human rights defenders and Indigenous leaders.
“The United States of Biafra cabinet hereby declares that the crime of being tagged a terrorist for being “Biafran” by the Nigerian regime or any other government of the world is a violation of basic human rights that Biafrans are a free and indigenous people who have every right to their identity, freedom, and membership in the community of world nations on an equal footing,” the statement reads.
Recall that in November 2024, Ekpa was detained by the Finnish government.
Meanwhile, the Emerging African States (OEAS) has called for the release of Ekpa.