The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Amnesty International

  • Stop campaign against Amnesty International

    SIR: On March 20, over 50 people protested right in front of the office of the Amnesty International (AI) in Abuja. Sources at the office said that the protesters shouted “Amnesty International, We no go gree.” A few of them carried placards and big banners with inscriptions that said: “No to Amnesty International”; “Leave our country”; “AI is worse than Boko Haram”; “Leave Nigeria alone”; “We know your mission here.”

    AI recently released reports on  alleged human rights violations by the Nigerian military and other security agencies in the country. These reports angered the authorities in Nigeria and they are now using various means to discredit AI. A source said that the security agencies were upset over their alleged role in the killing of the members of Shiites in Kaduna and the Biafran agitators in the South-east.

    In a statement, the military attributed the report of the Amnesty International to meddling in local politics and security issues. They claimed that AI was engaging in activities that were “inimical to national interest, cohesion and unity.”

    In reaction, security agencies are sponsoring groups that are staging protests against AI and its activities in Nigeria. They have also launched vicious media attacks, and used faceless non-governmental organisations to undermine and discredit the work of Amnesty International.

    Nigerian authorities should desist from this cheap and irresponsible blackmail and rise up to their duty of protecting the human rights of its citizens. It must be recalled that the current government came to power on the platform of change and relied on the information that was provided by international non-governmental organisations such as Amnesty International in highlighting the poor management by the previous government of the insurgency in Northern Nigeria, the kidnapping of the Chibok girls and military operations. It is unfortunate that the same government is sponsoring, aiding and abetting vicious attacks, intimidation and smear campaigns to undermine the human rights work of Amnesty International.

    The government should rather use all civilised means to respond or refute the reports and claims of AI and take effective measures to address the alleged human rights violations by the security agencies.

     

    • Leo Igwe

  • Protesters occupy Amnesty International office with coffin

    Protesters occupy Amnesty International office with coffin
     
    Thousands of protesters yesterday continued to occupy the Abuja office of Amnesty International.
    The protesters insisted that the international human rights organization must leave Nigeria following the release of a damning report recently.
     The AI report indicted Nigeria’s security agencies of human rights abuse of Boko Haram members.
     The protesters who stormed AI’s office with a coffin and inscription of rest in peace (RIP), condemned the organization for the report.
     Addressing the protest in front of AI’s office, Executive Director, Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative ( GOPRI), Melvin Ejeh, said amnesty had until 12 midnighttoday to vacate Nigeria, adding that beginning from Thursday, legal actions would be taken against the organization.
     
    He described as laughable recent report by AI that it does not recognize or react to NGOs not registered with it as the height of organization’s penchant for trivialities and a fact that the international NGO does not believe in what it preaches. 
     
    Ejeh challenged AI to disclose its affiliation with Boko Haram for the world to know when and where it registered the terror group that the killers had become their partners. 
  • Nigeria blasts Amnesty International over report

    Nigeria blasts Amnesty International over report

    The federal gover-nment has dubbed the 2015/2016 report of Amnesty International (AI) as lacking conformity to standards.
    This is particularly so on evidence gathering, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement by its spokesperson, Mr Clement Aduku.
    Government wondered why the report failed to condemn the atrocities committed by terrorist groups in Nigeria, and why Amnesty did not deem it fit and proper, in line with best practices, to subject its report process to wide consultations and in-depth engagement.
    “Such omission made the scenario captured in the report itself to totally lack conformity to both local and international standards,” government said.
    He stated that the AI should be aware that Nigeria was a law-abiding state governed by democratic norms enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
    “The federal government does not, and will not condone, the brazen and needless display of lack of regard for constituted authority by any unlawful groups.
    “Accordingly, no persons or group of persons will be allowed to destabilize the peace, stability and security, or jeopardize the unity and sovereign existence of Nigeria
    “No matter how highly placed and the level of external support such individuals or group of persons enjoy,” he warned.
    The ministry noted that where terrorists have unleashed their dastardly acts, legal means and measures are usually deployed by affected countries to counter violent extremism.
    Nigeria should therefore, not be unduly pressured or pilloried for taking similar measures in defence of its national security, he said.
    “Even if AI does not deem it fit to report on the atrocities committed by violent groups, the government of Nigeria will ensure that the culprits are brought to book,” it stated.
    Citing the case of the Shitte leader in Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, which AI pronounced on, government said: “The conduct of the El-Zakzaky movement is one that cannot be tolerated by any progressive democratic government.
    “The AI, in dabbling into Nigeria’s legal and judicial system, did not give due credence to the Federal Government’s appeal filed against the decision of the lower court for El-Zakzaky to be released.”
    The ministry also reiterated that the agitation for a sovereign State of Biafra was unacceptable and detrimental to the peace, unity, stability and development of the Nigerian State.
    It stated that the scenario captured and the report itself lacked conformity to both local and international standards on evidence gathering.
    “Nonetheless, if any security personnel are found to have flouted the rules of engagement, or acted unprofessionally, such officers would be punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.
    “Nigeria remains committed to the freedom of expression and association, peaceful assembly and protest within the confines of the law,” it stated.
    It stated that the right of Nigerian and culture must be respected on the issue of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTI).
    “On LGBTI, the inviolability of the enactment of the National Assembly and the sovereign right of Nigerians expressed through their religious-cum-ethical values and cultural rights must be respected by all,” he stated.
    The Ministry reminded AI and all other human rights groups, that the victims of the despicable activities of terrorist groups deserve sympathy from all, including national and international non-governmental human rights groups.
    He stated that the morale of the security forces undertaking the difficult task of risking their lives and sacrificing their comfort to keep Nigeria safe and united must not be dampened.

  • Amnesty International accuses FG of media crackdown, right abuses

    Amnesty International accuses FG of media crackdown, right abuses

    Amnesty International has accused the Federal Government of embarking on a media crackdown.

    The organization said 2016 witnessed a disturbing rise in arrests and intimidation of media professionals and activists in Nigeria, with at least 10 journalists and bloggers arrested.

    The Media Manager of Amnesty International in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said Nigeria specifically witnessed government responding to legitimate dissent with extreme measures that had devastating impacts on the civic space.

    Amnesty in its annual report, titled: The State of the World’s Human Rights, highlights how the Nigerian government responded to legitimate security fears with gross human rights violations including torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

    The organization at the launch of the report on Wednesday in Abuja, warned that 2017 will see ongoing crises exacerbated by a debilitating absence of human rights leadership on a chaotic world stage.

    Amnesty said, “While the politics of “us vs them” is also taking shape at the international level, replacing multilateralism with a more aggressive, confrontational world order.

    “The past year has also seen a disturbing rise in arrests and intimidation of media professionals and activists in Nigeria. At least 10 journalists and bloggers were arrested in 2016, some for alleged connections to Boko Haram, in a crackdown that appears to have been orchestrated to suffocate freedom of expression.

    “In January, members of the Nigerian army raided the editorial offices of Premium Times and arrested journalists Dapo Olorunyomi and Evelyn Okakwu. They were subsequently released but the move sent a clear message to intimidate journalists and the media.

    “In Nigeria, it highlights how government responded to legitimate security fears with gross human rights violations including torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.”

  • DHQ faults Amnesty’s report, denies death of 240 persons in Borno

    DHQ faults Amnesty’s report, denies death of 240 persons in Borno

    Amnesty International, a human rights group got a flak from Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters on Wednesday over a report alleging deaths of 240 people in Borno and 177 pro Biafran protesters.
    In a statement issued in Abuja, Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar described the allegations as “another in its series of spurious fabrications aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Nigerian military. “
    Rabe said the allegations contained in the said report are not only inconceivable but has no place in the Nigerian military.
    He further said the report is rather contrived lies orchestrated to blackmail and ridicule the Nigerian Armed Forces describing it as cheap blackmail.
    Rabe said: ” It is on record that Amnesty International embarked on such series of false allegations against the Nigerian military and other security forces as far back as the inception of the military action against terrorists in the North East.
    “Amnesty International would only encourage activities of non-state actors who take up arms against the state, killing, maiming and destroying public property but would always accuse security forces who are sacrificing everything to restore peace and normalcy.
    “In as much as the Nigerian military acknowledges  and respects  the views and constructive criticism of individuals, groups or even international organisations including Amnesty International, it will not fall for nor accept the deliberate falsehood that have no bearing with the fact or reality on ground.”
    The Defence spokesman said the Nigerian military has always been open in its operations and do not hide its activities from the probing eye of the public saying Amnesty International chose to bandy fabricated reports and concocted stories instead of seeking clarifications from the relevant authorities.
    He said the National Human Rights Commission had sent its delegation to seek clarification on issues they are not comfortable with, and in each occasion, the DHQ always oblige them with the information they sought.
    “AI would rather contrive their report to suit their intention which is to cast slur on the image and integrity of the Nigerian military. It smacks of mischief for the AI to insist on publishing unverified and unsubstantiated  report as it is only them that knows why it embark on such dishonourable venture over a period of time.
    “The Nigerian military rejects this AI reports in its entirety and appeals to all well meaning Nigerians to disregard the report and discountenance its content,”  Rabe said.

  • South East senators to FG: Probe IPOB members’ killing

    The South East Caucus in the Senate on Thursday asked the Federal Government to immediately constitute a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the alleged killing of about 150 defenceless members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    A statement issued by Chairman of the caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in Abuja, said the Amnesty International report, which painted a very chilling picture of the brutal killing of peaceful protesters allegedly by the Nigerian Army is not only embarrassing to Nigeria as a country, but one that cast doubts on the operational modus of the Nigeria military in handling civil protest in a constitutional democracy.

    Abaribe said the caucus resolved that the reported killings must be investigated and those found culpable made to face the law.

    Amnesty International in a report on Wednesday said an analysis of 87 videos, 122 photographs and 146 eyewitness testimonies relating to demonstrations and other gathering between August 2015 and August 2016 consistently showed that the military fired live ammunition with little or no warning to disperse the crowd of IPOB members.

    The group also claimed that it found evidence of mass extra-judicial executions by security forces, including at least 60 people shot dead within two days during events to mark Biafra Remembrance Day.

    Abaribe said,” It is not enough for the Nigeria military to debunk the report, we as a caucus demand an independent inquiry in the mould of a judicial panel and urgently too.

    “It is our candid view that such panel would reassure the Igbo that the Federal Government is alive to its responsibilities one of which is the protection and respect of the fundamental rights of all people irrespective of tribe or religion.

    “Unraveling the authenticity of the report would help to prevent a reoccurrence just as it will engender unity in our country.

    “But the most important to us now is that the report must be probed and those implicated must be made to face justice.”

  • Nigerian security agents killed 150 IPOB members – Amnesty

    Nigerian security agents killed 150 IPOB members – Amnesty

    Amnesty International accused Nigerian security forces on Thursday of killing at least 150 peaceful advocates of Biafra’s secession from country, but the military and police dismissed the allegations.

    An army spokesman said Amnesty’s statement, the latest in a series of allegations of impropriety levelled against Nigeria’s military in the last year, aimed to tarnish the security forces’ reputation. The police said its officers did not attack people holding demonstrations.

    Amnesty said the military fired live ammunition, with little or no warning, to disperse members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group between August 2015 and August 2016.

    Its 60-page report based on interviews with 193 people, 87 videos and 122 photographs from that period also said troops and the police used “arbitrary, abusive and excessive force to disrupt gatherings.”

    Secessionist feeling has simmered in the southeast since the Biafra separatist rebellion tipped Nigeria into a 1967-1970 civil war that killed an estimated one million people, Reuters reported.

    It flared up again last year after IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu was detained on charges of criminal conspiracy and belonging to an illegal society.

    That prompted supporters of Kanu to hold protests that Amnesty said were dispersed with live ammunition.

    The army spokesman, Sani Usman, said Biafra separatists had behaved violently, killing five policeman at a protest in May and attacking both military and police vehicles.

    “The military and other security agencies exercised maximum restraints despite the flurry of provocative and unjustifiable violence,” Usman told Reuters.

    Nigeria Police Force spokesman, Don Awunah, said officers “always abide by the law” and adhere to best practices.

    “We don’t attack people who are demonstrating, which every Nigerian has a right to do,” he said.

     

  • Mauritania court frees anti-slavery activists

    An appeals court in Mauritania overturned the convictions of three anti-slavery activists on Friday and reduced the sentences of 10 others for their alleged role in a riot in June, Amnesty International said.

    A tribunal had sentenced the 13 members of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) in August to up to 15 years in prison after a protest against eviction by residents of a slum in the capital Nouakchott, many of whom are themselves former slaves, Reuters reported.

    United NataMNESTYions experts said the activists’ trial was marred by serious rights violations, citing reports of torture in detention and irregularities during the court proceedings.

    In addition to the three whose convictions were overturned, seven others are now to be released on time served, Amnesty said in a statement.

    “The release of three anti-slavery activists who had been unfairly sentenced to up to 15 years for peacefully expressing their opinions is a huge relief,” said Amnesty’s West Africa campaigner, Kine Fatim Diop.

    “However the fact that the appeals court still convicted 10 of them and three activists remain in jail represents a distressing sign of the shrinking space that human rights activists and civil society organizations are facing,” Diop added.

    Mauritania has attempted to crack down on slavery and last year passed a law making it a crime against humanity and doubling prison terms for offenders.

  • Cameroon Military court jails men who joked about Boko Haram

    Cameroon Military court jails men who joked about Boko Haram

    Amnesty International has condemned the 10 years imprisonment  imposed by a Military Court in Cameroon  on three young men,  Fomusoh Ivo Feh, and his friends Afuh Nivelle Nfor and Azah Levis Gob – who were convicted of ‘non-denunciation of terrorist acts’ following a  trial in Yaoundé.

    Samira Daoud, Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director for West and Central Africa said Fomusoh Ivo and his two friends should never have been arrested in the first place, as they were simply exercising their right to freedom of expression.

    “Instead of being in school like their friends, these three young men will now spend years of their lives in prison for a simple joke.

    “This ruling is clear evidence that Cameroonian military courts should not have jurisdiction to try civilians. The Cameroonian authorities must quash their conviction and sentence and immediately and unconditionally release all three of them,” Daoud stated.

    Ivo, 27, whom Amnesty International considers to be a prisoner of conscience, was arrested on 13 December 2014 after forwarding his friends a sarcastic SMS referring to Boko Haram. He was held in police custody in Douala before being transferred to Yaoundé Prison in January 2015.

  • Amnesty accuses Sudan of using chemical weapons in Darfur

    Sudan’s government has carried out at least 30 likely chemical weapons attacks in the Jebel Marra area of Darfur since January using what two experts concluded was a probable blister agent, Amnesty International said on Thursday.

    The rights group estimated that up to 250 people may have died as a result of exposure to the chemical weapons agents.

    The most recent attack occurred on September 9 and Amnesty said its investigation was based on satellite imagery, more than 200 interviews and expert analysis of images showing injuries.

    “The use of chemical weapons is a war crime. The evidence we have gathered is credible and portrays a regime that is intent on directing attacks against the civilian population in Darfur without any fear of international retribution,” Reuters quoted Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International’s director of Crisis Research, as saying on Thursday.

    Sudanese United Nations Ambassador, Omer Dahab Fadl Mohamed, said in a statement that the Amnesty report was “utterly unfounded” and that Sudan does not possess any type of chemical weapons.

    “The allegations of use of chemical weapons by Sudanese Armed Forces are baseless and fabricated. The ultimate objective of such wild accusation, is to steer confusion in the on-going processes aimed at deepening peace and stability and enhancing economic development and social cohesion in Sudan,” he said.

    Amnesty said it had presented its findings to two independent chemical weapons experts.

    “Both concluded that the evidence strongly suggested exposure to vesicants, or blister agents, such as the chemical warfare agents sulfur mustard, lewisite or nitrogen mustard,” Amnesty said in a statement.