The senator representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, Sen. Shehu Sani, has listed ways Nigeria’s security and defence forces can avoid constant criticisms from international human rights organisations such as Amnesty International.
Amnesty International recently condemned the suspension of operations of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in the North East, after the Army accused UNICEF workers of spying and collaborating with Boko Haram terrorists.
Amnesty international had in May accused Army personnel of abusing female internally displaced persons (IDPs), a claim the Army strenuously denied.
The group also accused the army of shooting members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) without provocation in October.
But Sani, a civil and pro-democracy activist, has identified ways the Army and others can improve on their negative perception by international rights groups.
Furthermore, Sani berated government officials for their quickness to dismiss reports by Amnesty and similar organisations.
Taking to his verified Twitter handle, Sani said, “If our security and defence forces will respect fundamental rights, treat peaceful protesters with civility, observe and respect the rules of engagement, protect civilians, avoid unlawful arrests and desist from extra judicial killings, Amnesty Nigeria will have nothing to write or report.
“When people are in power, it’s the trend for many of them and their supporters to denounce human rights groups as irritating foes or nauseating felons; When they are out of power, those groups end up as their only protection in the likelihood of vengeance, vindictiveness or vendetta.”
See tweets:
If our security & defense forces will respect fundamental rights,treat peaceful protesters with civility,observe & respect the rules of engagement,protect civilians,avoid unlawful arrests & desist from extra judicial killings,@AmnestyNigeria will have nothing to write or report.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) December 23, 2018
When people are in power,it’s the trend for many of them & their supporters to denounce human rights groups as irritating foes or nauseating felons;When they are out of power,those groups end up as their only protection in the likelihood of vengeance,vindictiveness or vendetta.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) December 23, 2018