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Commission To Probe Rights Violations Must Be Unbiased – Amnesty International

Amnesty International has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the judicial commission set up to review compliance of armed forces with human rights … Continue reading Commission To Probe Rights Violations Must Be Unbiased – Amnesty International


Accountability For Human Rights Violations Remains Elusive, Says Amnesty
A photo showing the logo of Amnesty International.

Amnesty International Declares Interest In Death Of Desmond Nunugwo

Amnesty International has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the judicial commission set up to review compliance of armed forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement is allowed to work without any interference.

The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, who made the call also asked the government to provide the commission with the support needed.

“We call on the government to ensure that the commission is independent, impartial and free from any conflict of interest that may affect the integrity of its work. Ensuring that the commission has the resources to carry out its work and making its terms of reference public can bring transparency.”

The human rights group lauded the setting up of the commission and its mandate, saying the development would ensure justice was brought to victims of war crimes.

“The judicial commission is long overdue and is an opportunity to finally bring justice to victims of war crimes and other serious human rights violations committed across parts of Nigeria affected by conflict. We, therefore, call on the government to ensure that victims of human rights violations are allowed to present evidence to the commission without fear and with all the necessary protection”, Ojigho said in the statement issued on Saturday.

Amnesty International added that investigating the compliance of security agencies with rules of engagements in all conflicts and violation of human rights law was a step in the right direction.

They, however, noted that the investigation must be carried out with all sense of responsibility of making sure that no human rights violation go unaccounted for.

“The mandate of the commission to advise on preventing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in conflict situations is also a vital step for the country. The government’s priority should be justice, human rights and the dignity of human life in Nigeria.

“All persons reasonably suspected of committing crimes under international law and other serious violations of human rights on all sides of all conflicts in the country must be brought to justice in fair trials before civilian courts without recourse to the death penalty,” the group said.