BREAKING NEWS:
Amnesty International blasts Nigerian Army, Judiciary…Says Killing of Shi’ites in Zaria, Kaduna must be Investigated
*Laments: ‘Nigerian security forces have a history of unlawful killings, human rights violations’
*Argues: ‘The justice system is under-resourced and riddled with delays’
*Warns: ‘Detainees be granted access to medical care, either charged with a recognizable criminal offense or released’
*QUOTE: “Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself”-Robert G. Ingersol
BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU
OUTRIGHT condemnation has been issued by Amnesty International (AI) against the Nigeria’s administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the areas of human rights abuse, delay in justice system proceedings and unlawful use of fire arms by the Nigerian Army.
Making this starling revelation, M.K Ibrahim, a director in AI in a press statement condemned the Nigerian Judiciary, Army for deliberately breaching human rights violations, especially arresting many members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), including the leader of the group, Ibraheem Zakzaky, who was picked up at his residence on Sunday morning and remains in detention without access to a lawyer.
The statement reads: The shooting of members of a Shi’ite religious group in Zaria, Kaduna state, by the Nigerian army must be urgently investigated said Amnesty International today, and anyone found responsible for unlawful killings must be brought to justice.
“Whilst the final death toll is unclear, there is no doubt that there has been a substantial loss of life at the hands of the military.
“Firearms should only be used as a last resort, if strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. It is crucial that the authorities refrain from using excessive force and ensure that anyone responsible for unlawful killings is brought to justice in fair trials.
“As well as the loss of life, security forces arrested many members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), including the leader of the group, Ibraheem Zakzaky, who was picked up at his residence on Sunday morning and remains in detention. It is unclear if he has access to a lawyer. Reports suggest that the dead and injured were taken to the military hospital and to the university teaching hospital.
“Nigerian security forces have a history of carrying out unlawful killings and other human rights violations. In the course of security operations against Boko Haram, Nigerian military forces have committed serious human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity in north east Nigeria.
“An impartial investigation is urgently needed into these killings. Anyone responsible for unlawful killings should be brought to justice. Those in detention must be granted access to medical care as a matter of urgency and either charged with a recognizable criminal of fence or released,” said M.K. Ibrahim.
AI noted that “The police regularly commit human rights violations, including unlawful killings, torture and other ill-treatment, and enforced disappearances. The justice system is under-resourced and riddled with delays. Prisons are overcrowded; the majority of inmates are pre-trial detainees, some held for many years. Hundreds of people remain on death row, many sentenced after unfair trials. Conflict in the Niger Delta threatens the safety and lives of residents. Human rights defenders and journalists face intimidation and harassment. Violence against women is widespread and the government fails to protect the rights of children. Forced evictions take place across the country.”
