Amnesty International Nigeria has welcomed a judicial probe into human rights violations by the nation’s military.
Nigeria acting President Yemi Osinbajo has set up a judicial commission to review compliance of armed forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement.
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Amnesty International Nigeria director Osai Ojigho said: “The judicial commission is long overdue and is an opportunity to finally bring justice to victims of war crimes and other serious human rights violations committed across parts of Nigeria affected by conflict.
“We therefore call on the government to ensure that victims of human rights violations are allowed to present evidence to the commission without fear and with all the necessary protection.”
The human rights organisation has also called on the Nigerian Government to ensure that the commission is independent, impartial and free from any conflict of interest that may affect the integrity of its work.
Ojigho added: “The government’s priority should be justice, human rights and the dignity of human life in Nigeria. All persons reasonably suspected of committing crimes under international law and other serious violations of human rights on all sides of all conflicts in the country must be brought to justice in fair trials before civilian courts without recourse to the death penalty.”
The commission must investigate compliance of security agencies with rules of engagements in all conflicts and violation of international humanitarian and human rights law.
It also has the authority to advise on preventing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in conflict situations.
