Rights group, Amnesty International, has said it stands by its report that security agencies in Nigeria engage in rights abuses in its bid to quash the insurgency by dreaded sect, Boko Haram.
Amnesty International said the attack of the report by the military was a diversionary tactic.
It said while it was convenient for the military to condemn the part of the report that indicted its officers and men for rights abuses, it failed to acknowledge the sections that also pointed out the excesses of Boko Haram as mention in the report.
In its reaction to the position of the Nigerian military, Amnesty International said a look at the report, titled: “Nigeria: Trapped in the cycle of violence,” will see that it condemned the unlawful actions of Boko Haram in just as strong terms as it does those of the government forces.
It said the report fully reflects its fundamental commitment to objectivity and impartiality in research, analysis and advocacy of human rights issues.
It said its researchers interviewed victims of violence perpetrated by both Boko Haram and the security forces in compiling the report, adding that those who spoke with the organization included judges, magistrates, doctors, teachers, health and education professionals, journalists, lawyers and representatives of non-governmental human rights organizations.
The final report presents research gathered during numerous visits to Nigeria over two years between 2010 and 2012, it said.
Amnesty International said part of the information was gathered via telephone interviews and draws on court cases, legislation, policy documents, medical reports and video and photographic evidence.
It also included information provided by representatives of the military, the police and several branches of government following meetings with representatives of Amnesty International in July 2012 to discuss the preliminary findings and observations.
It added that in August 2012, a nine-page briefing was sent by courier to security and government authorities in Nigeria containing Amnesty International’s findings and a list of over 90 cases, including names, arresting authority and other relevant information.
The briefing included requests for the cases mentioned to be investigated and invited response and comment.
No response was received, it said, even though Amnesty International would have reflected any comments in the final report.
Amnesty International said the full names of victims were not included in the public report published in November to protect the individuals involved.
The rights group went further to say that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, on behalf of the President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, met with representatives of Amnesty International on November 1, 2012 following the official launch of the report.
Adoke was said to have stated that all allegations of human rights violations by security forces would be investigated and that Nigeria was committed to ensuring its security forces operate at all times within the rule of law and with respect for human rights.
Adoke, Amnesty International further noted, also stated that any state actor found to have violated human rights would be brought to justice.
Amnesty International added in its defense of its report: “The Nigerian government and the security forces should recognize that the population will not be truly secure until everyone in Nigeria can be confident not only that the risk of attacks from Boko Haram has been reduced, but also that they will not face human rights violations at the hands of the very state security forces mandated with their protection.”
Amnesty International then listed its correspondences with Nigerian Government officials and the response from their offices before it went ahead to publish the damning report:
– Hon. Attorney General of the Federation, (delivered 27 August, 12:00).
– Hon. Minister of Interior (delivered 27 August, 11:20).
– Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs; (delivered 27 August, 12:58).
– National Security Adviser (delivered 31 August, 10:30).
– Defence Headquarters, (delivered 27 August, 12:50).
– Inspector General of Police, (delivered 27 August, 14:20).
– Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) (delivered 29 August, 16:25).
– Comptroller General of Prisons (delivered 28 August, 10:56).
– Commissioner of Police Borno State, (delivered 29 August, 12:00).
– Commissioner of Police Kano State, (delivered 27 August, 11:17).
It said a briefing was also sent to the Commander of the JTF Borno State but this was returned marked: “refused delivery.”
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