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| Nigeria military road block in Eastern Nigeria |
A leading human rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has released two groundbreaking reports detailing widespread human rights abuses and violations in Eastern Nigeria.
Released at a press conference in Enugu, the reports, titled "Ocean of Innocent Blood Flowing in The East" and "Human Rights Made in Nigeria," paint a grim picture of the region, highlighting the excesses of both state and non-state actors.
Key Findings:
* "Ocean of Innocent Blood..." focuses on the devastating impact of state-sponsored violence, particularly by the Nigerian military and police. The report alleges:
* Massacres: Over 32,300 civilians, primarily Igbo, have been killed by security forces in the past nine years.
* Forced Disappearances: Thousands have been abducted and disappeared, often held in secret detention facilities in Northern Nigeria.
* Destruction: Widespread property destruction, including homes and businesses, has displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
* Impunity: Security forces operate with impunity, rarely facing consequences for their actions.
* "Human Rights Made in Nigeria..." provides a comprehensive legal framework for understanding human rights violations and the responsibilities of both state and non-state actors.
The reports are based on extensive research and investigation, including:
* Analysis of government data: Scrutinizing official statements from the military, police, and other security agencies.
* Interviews and testimonies: Gathering firsthand accounts from victims, witnesses, and human rights defenders.
* Legal and international frameworks: Applying relevant laws and international human rights standards to the findings.
Intersociety has issued 76 recommendations, calling for:
* Accountability: Investigations and prosecutions of security forces involved in human rights abuses.
* Reforms: Overhauling the security sector to ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law.
* International attention: Urging the international community to pressure the Nigerian government to address these grave concerns.
These reports provide a crucial and disturbing account of the ongoing human rights crisis in Eastern Nigeria.
They serve as a powerful call to action for the Nigerian government, the international community, and all those concerned with justice and human dignity.
Tags
Eastern Nigeria
Human rights abuse
International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law
Nigeria government