Amnesty International urges Nigerian Govt to bring Boko Haram insurgents, military to justice
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian authorities to bring to justice those responsible for atrocities committed against victims and survivors of the Boko Haram insurgency.
This includes both insurgents and military personnel who have been accused of human rights abuses.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, the Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director, Malam Isa Sanusi, said a research conducted by the organization revealed that over 16,000 petitioners came forward to report abuses, with 800 victims and survivors interviewed.
These individuals, according to him, recounted being maimed, harassed, humiliated, and tortured by both Boko Haram insurgents and the military.
Sanusi emphasized that the government must take action to hold perpetrators accountable, stating that “it can be done, and government can do it, and it must be done.” He also called for justice to prevail and for those responsible for atrocities to be brought to book.
“The only resolution is justice. Justice must prevail. They must be brought to book. Government can do that. Government can ensure justice is done to the afflicted. This is all what Amnesty International is saying.
“Because majority of these victims have lost their education, suffered untold hardships and tortured. Forced or conscripted. in to the group. Must of them are ignorant and innocent.
“We want to tell the government that these girls and women’s life has been shattered, enslaved, many have kids, experienced different terrible experiences from arbitrary detention.
“Why subjecting them to sexual violence, forceful. marriage, murder and Killings and excluding them , education, health , exposing them to stigmatization , segregation , calling them.names as Boko Haram wives and children, socio economic facilities and amenities.
“They deserve to live also a better life as citizens of the country. So, we are calling on government to do the needful. Many have not been given Amnesty in prisons as in some places or amnesty give to some people while others are undergoing trial,” Sanusi said.
According to him, Amnesty International always advocating for justice for every one because must of those arrested were arrested based on suspicion, they were ignorant and innocent because there were found at the Boko Haram areas .
He also maintained that most of those interviewed said they don’t know anything and confessed to Amnesty International that they were held for 19, 15 or 20 years without trial.
“We believe the rule of law should prevail. Justice should be done to check the atrocities done to the survivors.
Government has the responsibility to do this if not , it will create a rift or conflict. Government should be committed or release them based on the atrocities.
“They deserve respect, protection and justice. All what Amnesty International wants is for government to release them based on Court injunction. This is what Amnesty International is looking for from the government for the victims and survivors of Boko Haram to have justice.
“If there is no rule of law, there may be chaos. All unlawful intentions should not happen again. Military were harassing, raping the girls, calling the girls names, humiliating and discriminating them. That’s why we are calling for justice to prevail against the Boko Haram insurgents and military atrocities,” Sanusi added