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Abduction of Chibok Girls,Others Constitute Crimes Against Humanity,Says Nigeria’s Rights Commission

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The National Human Rights Commission ,NHRC has observed that the atrocities committed by Boko Haram insurgents in the North East “constitute a pattern of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed particularly, by the insurgents”.
This observation was part of the Communique of the Governing Council ,HHRC at the end of its 2nd 2014 Statutory meeting held in Maidugu Guest Palace Hotel,New GRA Gombe.
Assessing the security situation in the North East, the Commission said “Council considered a Report on the state of human rights in the country. This report afforded Council the opportunity to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the deteriorating human rights situation in the North East, including the abduction of over 200 students from Government Girls Secondary School,(GGSS) Chibok, Borno State.
“Council further notes that this deteriorating situation has led to serious and massive violations of human rights, including loss of many lives among the civil populace and security agencies, mass casualty violence, exponential growth in forced displacement, abduction of girls and women, and resulting food insecurity and humanitarian crises.
“Council observes that these atrocities constitute a pattern of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed particularly, by the insurgents”

Read below highlights of the communiqué endorsed by board chairman, Prof Chidi Anselm Odinkalu and the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof Bem Angwe:

“The Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission held its 2nd (2014) Statutory meeting at Maidugu Guest Palace Hotel, new GRA, Gombe, Gombe State between 13th -15th June 2014 and resolved as follows:

SECURITY SITUATION IN THE NORTH EAST.
“Council considered a Report on the state of human rights in the country. This report afforded Council the opportunity to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the deteriorating human rights situation in the North East, including the abduction of over 200 students from Government Girls Secondary School,(GGSS) Chibok, Borno State.
“Council further notes that this deteriorating situation has led to serious and massive violations of human rights, including loss of many lives among the civil populace and security agencies, mass casualty violence, exponential growth in forced displacement, abduction of girls and women, and resulting food insecurity and humanitarian crises.

i. Council observes that these atrocities constitute a pattern of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed particularly, by the insurgents

ii. Council acknowledges the efforts of government at both Federal and State levels as well as those of security agencies in addressing these security challenges.

iii. Council also welcomes the support from regional and international partners towards the search and rescue operations for the Chibok girls as well as other measures taken to enhance effective protection of lives and security in the affected states.

iv. Council therefore called for sustained and multi-dimensional responses in respect of the following:

a. Regular and continuing inter-governmental cooperation and dialogue in resolving these difficult challenges, in addition to putting in place effective measures to ensure accountability by the perpetrators.

b. Development and urgent deployment of a comprehensive humanitarian plan for the North East particularly those aimed at addressing food security crisis, access to trauma care and support, and forced displacement.

c. Deepening and sustaining regional and international cooperation for the amelioration of the situation and sufferings of the victims in North Eastern Nigeria and accountability by the perpetrators.
CONSIDERATION OF CASES AND COMPLAINTS
i. Council considered and disposed of 134 cases and complaints mostly concerning allegations connected with demolitions and forced evictions as well as violations of rights of women and children.

ii. Council expressed concern about the growing trend of the abandonment of children, neglect of parental responsibilities and the absence of effective institutions to address these as provided by laws such as the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act.

iii. Council, therefore, directed the Executive Secretariat to liaise with the relevant institutions of government to take necessary steps towards responding to this situation.

“EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ACT
“Council considered and noted recommendations of various reports from the Executive Secretariat on this issue, particularly the lack of general awareness and understanding of the provisions of the NHRC (amendment) Act by relevant bodies and institutions and accordingly:
i. Directed the Executive Secretariat to undertake collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) to sensitize the judiciary on the National Human Rights Commission Act, 1995, as amended;
ii. Approved the Annual Report of the Commission for the year 2013 and the State of Human Rights in Nigeria Report and authorized their transmission to Mr. President and the National Assembly with a request to the Executive Secretariat to liaise with the relevant Committees of the National Assembly with a view to their convening a Public Hearing on the state of human rights in Nigeria.
iii. Council, recalling that the NHRC Act provides for the establishment of Human Rights Fund, resolved to launch the Fund on December 10th 2014 within the International Human Rights Day commemoration activities. In line with that, a Council Committee was constituted to liaise with all relevant institutions and partners.
“REPORT ON AUDIT OF PRISONS AND UNGAZZETED PLACES OF DETENTION
i. Council received an interim report from the Working Group on Ungazzeted Places of Detention. Council, in considering the report, expressed concern over the growing incidence and high proliferation of illegal detention places by unathourized entities and the worrisome detention practices by several public security institutions.

ii. Council notes that the power of detention being an exception to constitutionally guaranteed personal liberty, can only be exercised by statutorily authorized institutions in gazetted facilities.

iii. Council therefore directed the Executive Secretariat to issue a public notice inviting the support of members of the general public in providing information to the Commission or reporting on the existence and operation of illegal detention centres by unauthorized entities.

“PROTECTION OF RIGHT TO PARTICIPATION IN ELECTORAL PROCESSES AND MONITORING OF FORTH COMING GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS IN EKITI AND OSUN STATES.
Council restates the need to ensure respect for protection of the human right to participation and effective accountability for violations of this right in the context of elections in Nigeria. Against this background, Council resolved to deploy a high level team comprising three Commissioners and staff of the Commission to monitor the forthcoming Governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

“SAME SEX MARRIAGE PROHIBITION ACT

Council considered the Same Sex Prohibition Act and its provisions in line with its statutory responsibility to examine any existing legislations, for the purpose of ascertaining whether such enactments are consistent with human rights norms. Council, however, noted that there are several pending court process concerning the law and therefore directed the Executive Secretariat to monitor the proceedings and keep Council duly advised.

APPRECIATION
“Council appreciates the warm reception and support it received from the Government and People of Gombe State as well as the security agencies in the State.

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