- They noted that the new government policies failed to address the prevalent human rights violations in the country
Amnesty International has highlighted concerns regarding President Bola Tinubu’s administration in Nigeria, stating that, despite six months in office, there hasn’t been adequate progress in upholding human rights and the rule of law.
The organization released a statement on Wednesday, unveiling a human rights agenda for President Tinubu’s government.
They noted that the new government policies failed to address the prevalent human rights violations in the country.
Amnesty International emphasized that there is still an opportunity for Tinubu’s administration to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights for all Nigerians and to take action against those responsible for past violations.
According to Amnesty, “The Nigerian authorities must ensure that human rights are at the centre of their policies, implement findings of previous investigation panels on human rights violations, and promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, effectively and transparently investigate human rights violations under the past government to ensure justice and accountability.
“Amnesty International has prepared a detailed human rights agenda for the Nigerian authorities. The government must now respond not by paying lip service to human rights, but by ensuring that their words are matched with concrete actions to protect and uphold the rights of everyone in the country.”
“Now, the organisation is recommending concrete measures that the authorities must take to ensure that human rights in the country are effectively respected, protected, promoted and fulfilled:
“President Tinubu’s administration must guarantee and ensure respect for the human rights of everyone in the country. In Nigeria, the rights to freedom of expression and media freedom are routinely violated.
“Occasionally, security forces threaten, arrest and detain journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders and activists simply for doing their work. During the 2023 general elections, at least 42 journalists were attacked, harassed, beaten or denied access to cover the elections.
“The Nigerian government must conduct a thorough, impartial, independent, effective and transparent investigation into the counter-insurgency operations carried out in the northeast of the country by security forces.
“Since 2009, the Nigerian military has committed gross human rights violations and crimes under international law, including extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and incommunicado detention, in the northeast.
“The authorities must also fully implement findings of the investigation of the killings of peaceful #EndSARS protesters by the military and police at Lekki Toll Gate on 20 October 2020. All atrocities committed by the police before and after the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) must be investigated. Victims must also receive compensation, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
“The Nigerian authorities have failed to address rising cost of living triggered by the removal of fuel subsidy and increasing taxation amidst unprecedented inflation. This has plunged millions of struggling families into more poverty, with more families unable to meet the cost of food, education and healthcare.
“The killing of civilians in Southern Kaduna has also remained unresolved for several years. The Nigerian authorities have failed to bring an end to these deadly attacks. Since December 2022, gunmen have killed over 100 people in southern Kaduna.
“The perennial violent clashes between farming and herding communities in some regions of Nigeria over access to resources, such as water and pasture land, also remain unaddressed. At least 3,641 people were killed between January 2016 and October 2018.
“Deadly clashes between farmers and herders remain commonplace in central Nigeria, with attacks in Benue and Plateau recently claiming dozens of lives. All incidents must be investigated thoroughly, effectively and impartially.”
Speaking further it mentioned that “President Tinubu’s government must unveil a blueprint for addressing the gross human rights violations that have been committed across the country.”
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