It was a damning report, a disturbing report. As a human rights organization, Amnesty International often raises issues concerning human rights violations in the North East of Nigeria. The army said that the report was blackmail or better WHITEMAIL.Is the report based on facts or fiction?
In 1991-1992, I was a Senior Research Fellow, at the prestigious Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, USA. I taught International Human Rights Law and also published a book entitled,“Human Rights in International Law”. Dexter Quality Book publishers, (1992).I
I have followed the commentaries of Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International very meticulously, in the last twenty-five years.
These human rights organizations examine the human rights conditions noon-day in undemocratic states by shining noon-day lights on their violations.
However, they shine translucent, moonlight on the human rights violations on “powerful states” that sponsor them. Because nothing is hidden under the sun, these unreported cases become known sooner than later.
Amnesty International reported that under the Jonathan administration, 8000 Nigerians were killed by the Nigerian army.
However, there is need to investigate the matter more closely in order to expose the truth or lies by looking into the report more dispassionately.
A soldier confronted with utmost danger, and an Amnesty International director, sitting in a cozy office in London, pontificating on the niceties of International Humanitarian Law; stand on a footing of manifest inequality.
I doubt that eight thousand Nigerian citizens can be killed without their relations raising alarm. In this age of the social media, the ubiquitous telephone, I have my doubts.
My doubts stem from the history of the reports by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International reports about events in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and the direction the International Criminal Court takes, when reporting or examining cases concerning non-European people.
They, at times overstate the facts, in hyperboles.
The Nigerian army has denied Amnesty International report very vehemently. The Nigerian army does not use asphyxiating, poisonous, or other gases, and does not use certain conventional weapons or bullets which expand or flatten easily in the body.
There are wars in which these projectiles are being used and Amnesty International has not openly condemned their users.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch should launch a UNIVERSAL APPEAL for states to stop all wars and for arms manufacturers to stop arms production, so that there would be no more wars and war crimes to report about.
The International Laws of Armed Conflict should be taught in all military academies and other colleges.
AZATA /NEPU Part would like to draw the attention of the international community to the fact that the era when Nigerians were derided has come to an end.
We are going on a diplomatic offensive to restore our dignity and national pride. We shall protest any denigration or abuse by any state or organization.
