US Bureau Of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Affairs (DRL), Speaks On Sowore’s Rearrest, Stresses ‘Respect For Rule Of Law’

The US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Affairs (DRL) says it is deeply concerned that Omoyele Sowore, convener of #RevolutionNow, has been rearrested.

The bureau is under the US Department of State, the equivalent of Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry.

In a tweet on Saturday, the office said respect for the rule of law, judicial Independence, political and media freedom and due process are the principles of democracy.

We are deeply concerned that #Sowore has been re-detained in #Nigeria, shortly after a court ordered he be released on bail. Respect for rule of law, judicial independence, political and media freedom, and due process are key tenets of #democracy.

— U.S. State Dept | Democracy, Human Rights, & Labor (@StateDRL) December 7, 2019

Sowore was rearrested in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday. Armed DSS operatives reportedly chased the judge away in the process of arresting the publisher of Sahara Reporters.

Before he was released on Thursday, the #RevolutionNow convener had spent 125 days in DSS custody.