Amnesty International accuses military of human rights abuse, war crimes

– Amnesty International accused the Nigerian military of violating human rights and committing war crimes

– The organization recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised to investigate evidence of several instances of war crimes, but no action was yet taken

– The director of AI in Nigeria lamented that prisons remain overcrowded and court processes slow

Amnesty International listed cases of human rights violations and war crimes committed by the Nigerian military.

Amnesty International (AI) has accused the Nigerian army of violating human rights and committing war crimes in its fight against the Boko Haram sect.

In its 2015 annual report, the organization highlighted several cases of torture by security agencies, excessive use of force, non-abolition of death penalty, gagging of freedom of expression, violation of court orders. It also noted what the government has done to protect citizens’ rights from abuse.

Leadership reports that the report was presented by AI country director, Mohammed Kaura Ibrahim, in Abuja.

In his speech, the director said that the conflict between the military and the insurgents resulted in death of thousands of civilians and over 2 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the end of the year.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Army and Amnesty International clash over report

“Torture and ill-treatment by the police and security forces were widespread. Demolitions of informal settlements led to the forced eviction of thousands of people. Death sentences continued to be imposed; no executions were reported.

“The military committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in its response to Boko Haram between 2011 and 2015,” he said.

Ibrahim noted that although President Muhammadu Buhari had promised to investigate evidence of several instances of war crimes, no action was taken to initiate independent and impartial investigations.

“In its November report on preliminary examinations, the office of the prosecutor of the ICC identified eight potential cases involving the commission of crimes against humanity and war crimes by Boko Haram (in six cases) and the security forces (two cases),” he added.

The report further stated that extrajudicial executions of suspected members of Boko Haram continued in 2015.

“Conditions in some military detention centers seemingly improved. Detainees were given three meals a day, access to washing facilities and to medical assistance. However, suspects continued to die in detention. Routine torture and other ill-treatment led to deaths.’’

READ ALSO: Amnesty International condemns Buhari

Ibrahim noted in his speech that it is not possible for the organization to cover every single case of human rights abuses in Nigeria. However, he stressed that Amnesty International compiles its report is to enable government to live up to its responsibility of safe guarding human rights in the country.

Speaking about judicial system in Nigeria, Ibrahim lamented that prisons remain overcrowded and court processes slow. He added that frequent strikes by court employees and the consequent closure of courts led to delays in trials.

Meanwhile, Lucy Freeman, senior research adviser at Amnesty, has documented instances of excessive force used against protesters connected to the pro-Biafran movement.

“There are consistent reports of excessive use of force, deaths and injuries of people connected to the Biafran movement. The Nigerian government is obligated to carry out investigations that have to be independent, impartial and effective,” she stressed.

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