Osinbajo inaugurates human rights panel for military

The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday inaugurated the
presidential investigative panel to review compliance of Armed
Forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement.
He said it is the responsibility of the Armed Forces and every one
in government to ensure compliance with human rights norms and
basic rules of decency observed across the world.

He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly
stated that the administration’s focus is on three broad issues –
security, economy and the fight against corruption.

He said: “The first security, is one without which others may
prove impossible. In any event fundamental to the functions of the
state, is the protection of lives and property and livelihood of
citizens in peace or in conflict.

“For our government, we add that respect for the lives of
Nigerian citizens is not just a constitutional but also a moral
duty. This is why it is incumbent upon us even as we maintain
security especially in conflict situations to interrogate, as we go
along on a regular basis, alleged crimes and human rights abuses by
all sides in these conflicts and insurgencies.

“Today’s occasion is in continuation of the efforts of this
administration geared towards attaining this goal.

“You may recall that in June 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari
had directed the military to conduct an internal inquiry into
allegations of rights abuses by its personnel.”

He said the findings of the board of inquiries set up by the
Nigerian Army to investigate extra-judicial killings and rights
violation by soldiers, which was submitted in June 2017, would be
made available to the new panel.

The acting President said the report of the Inspector-General of
Police’s investigation on alleged sexual abuse and exploitation in
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the Northeast is being
awaited.

The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday inaugurated the
presidential investigative panel to review compliance of Armed
Forces with human rights obligations and rules of
engagement.
He said it is the responsibility of the Armed Forces and every one
in government to ensure compliance with human rights norms and
basic rules of decency observed across the world.

He recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly
stated that the administration’s focus is on three broad issues –
security, economy and the fight against corruption.

He said: “The first security, is one without which others may
prove impossible. In any event fundamental to the functions of the
state, is the protection of lives and property and livelihood of
citizens in peace or in conflict.

“For our government, we add that respect for the lives of
Nigerian citizens is not just a constitutional but also a moral
duty. This is why it is incumbent upon us even as we maintain
security especially in conflict situations to interrogate, as we go
along on a regular basis, alleged crimes and human rights abuses by
all sides in these conflicts and insurgencies.

“Today’s occasion is in continuation of the efforts of this
administration geared towards attaining this goal.

“You may recall that in June 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari
had directed the military to conduct an internal inquiry into
allegations of rights abuses by its personnel.”

He said the findings of the board of inquiries set up by the
Nigerian Army to investigate extra-judicial killings and rights
violation by soldiers, which was submitted in June 2017, would be
made available to the new panel.

The acting President said the report of the Inspector-General of
Police’s investigation on alleged sexual abuse and exploitation in
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the Northeast is being
awaited.