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Tag: UN

  • Former Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed sworn-in as UN Deputy Sec-Gen

    Ms Amina Mohammed, the immediate past Minister of Environment, has been sworn-in as the fifth Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations at the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

    The UN Secretary-General António Guterres administered the oath of office to Mohammed.

    “I want to say that I am extremely, very, very proud that you accepted to join our team. Thank you very much,” Guterres told Mohammed.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Deputy UN chief, after her swearing-in, immediately swung into action by declaring open the 2017 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Segment on Operational Activities for Development.

    Her speech at the ECOSOC event was her first official engagement, followed by a brief press encounter with the UN Correspondents.

    Mohammed, who was appointed by Guterres on Dec. 15, 2016, as his deputy, was supposed to have assumed office on Jan. 1, 2017.

    She, however, delayed the assumption of her new role at the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to complete some ongoing responsibilities she was handling at that time.

    The office of the UN Deputy Secretary-General was formally established by the General Assembly in 1997 to handle many of the administrative responsibilities of the Secretary-General.

    As the fifth Deputy Secretary-General, Mohammed will help to manage the UN Secretariat operations, and “ensuring inter-sectoral and inter-institutional coherence of activities and programmes”.

    She will also support the Secretary-General in elevating “the profile and leadership of the UN in the economic and social spheres, including further efforts to strengthen the UN as a leading centre for development policy and development assistance”.

    In accepting the appointment, Mohammed had said she was humbled at the opportunity to serve humanity.

    She added that “the opportunity and responsibility to serve people and planet as the next UN Deputy Secretary-General is truly humbling.

    “I am most grateful for the confidence and trust demonstrated by the United Nations Secretary-General-designate António Guterres and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The next phase of my continued service to the people of Nigeria at the global level, will certainly build on the rich insights and lessons drawn from engaging with leaders, colleagues and stakeholders across our beloved nation”.

    She recalled her positions of responsibilities over the last three decades and her contributions to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and recently working for environment protection as part of Buhari administration’s vision to transform Nigeria.

    Nigeria was represented at the swearing-in by the acting Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Mr Anthony Bosah, while other family members and top UN officials also attended the ceremony.

    Mohammed served as UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 Development Planning.

    She was instrumental in bringing about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the SDGs.

    Before joining the UN, Mohammed worked for three successive administrations in Nigeria, serving as Special Adviser on MDGs.

    She provided advice on issues including poverty, public sector reform and sustainable development, and coordinating poverty reduction interventions.

     

    NAN

  • Boko Haram recruited over 2,000 child soldiers in 2016 – UN

     

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said the deadly terrorist group, Boko Haram recruited about 2,000 children in 2016 as child soldiers.

    This was revealed by UNICEF’s Executive Director, Anthony Lake during a meeting of global leaders in Paris, on the anniversary of the Paris Commitments to end the use of children in conflict.

    According to Lake, it was difficult to ascertain the number of children used and recruited, because of the unlawful nature of child recruitment.

    In Lake’s words: “For instance, since 2013 an estimated 17,000 children have been recruited in South Sudan and up to 10,000 have been recruited in the Central African Republic (CAR).

    “Similarly, nearly 2,000 children were recruited by Boko Haram, in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, last year alone, and there have been nearly 1,500 cases of child recruitment in Yemen since the conflict escalated in March 2015.

    “We cannot give up the fight to end child recruitment.”

    The Paris Agreement helps with the release of child soldiers and their reintegration.

    “There has also been progress: since it was adopted, the number of countries endorsing the Paris commitments has nearly doubled from 58 countries in 2007 to 105 at present, signalling an increasing global commitment to end the use of children in conflict.

    “Globally, more than 65,000 children have been released from armed forces and armed groups, including 20,000 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    “Nearly 9,000 in the Central African Republic; and over 1,600 children in Chad. But more needs to be done,” the UNICEF chief said.

    “It is also calling for increased resources to help reintegrate and educate children who have been released, and urgent action to protect internally displaced children, child refugees and migrants.

    As long as children are still affected by the fighting, we cannot give up the fight for the children,” Lake added.

     

     

  • UN condemns Boko Haram attacks in Borno

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) has condemned the attacks on Maiduguri by suspected female suicide bombers on Thursday night and Friday in which at least eight persons reportedly lost their lives.

    The Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Mr Farhan Haq, said the UN OCHA “is alarmed by the reported terrorist attacks on vulnerable displaced people in two locations in Maiduguri in north-eastern Nigeria that took place on Thursday.

    “While the number of dead and injured among civilians is not yet clear, Boko Haram reportedly launched a major attack using guns and explosives targeting the Custom House site that hosts more than 9,000 internally displaced people and the Muna Garage Park area where displaced people have gathered to return to their homes.

    “These are not the first attacks affecting the most vulnerable people in the area.

    “The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reminds all parties to the conflict in Nigeria to ensure the safety and security of all civilian populations as required under international humanitarian law and international human rights law”.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said eight suspected female suicide bombers were involved in the attack on Maiduguri-Gamboru road, according to NEMA spokesman Sani Datti.

    Datti said that the suspected Boko Haram members, who came through Mafa- Dikwa road along Muna community on Thursday at around 11.00 p.m, attempted to attack Maiduguri.

    He said the suicide bombers came in a Volkswagen Golf car, carrying eight suicide bombers most of whom were female teenagers.

    According to him, a few bombers detonated their explosives around Muna Dalti community, injuring seven local vigilantes, known as ‘Civilian Joint Task Force’.

    Datti further said that some of the suicide bombers found their way to a place where people gathered with their trucks loaded with goods for onward movement to Mafa, Dikwa and Ngala local government areas of the state.

    He said that no fewer than 14 trucks were burnt by the bombers, adding that the injured had been taken to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for treatment.

    He said that only the suicide bombers were killed in the attacks.

  • Wrong time to leave ICC now, UN envoy tells Africa

    Wrong time to leave ICC now, UN envoy tells Africa

    The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, has warned African countries that withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC) could have grave implications for victims seeking redress for serious human rights violations.

    Dieng, who stated this in a commentary, said the setting up of the tribunal was a “reckoning” for those who had long disregarded the lives and dignity of their people.

    The UN envoy explained that the ideals and values that inspired the creation of ICC still hold true.

    “The establishment of the Court signified a global commitment to protect victims, when national judicial mechanisms lacked the capacity, willingness or jurisdiction to prosecute those responsible for the most serious crimes,” he said.

    Highlighting the significance of the Court, Dieng said that the fact that most of the cases in the continent were submitted by African States themselves, reaffirmed their belief that it would strengthen the rule of law and respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the African people.

    He, however, added that in spite of the ICC’s achievements, it is increasingly coming under threat, with recent announcements by Burundi, South Africa and The Gambia to withdraw from the Rome Statute.

    “Other States have threatened to do so, if certain conditions are not met,” he said, noting that key among the concerns raised by these countries included the “lack of fairness in the prosecution decisions of the Court, perceived by some to disproportionately”.

    Drawing attention to the ongoing atrocities in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, South Sudan and in other parts of the world, he underlined that the time is not right to abandon the Court.

    “Rather, States and non-State members should reaffirm their commitment to strengthen the Rome Statute and ensure accountability for these horrendous crimes,” Dieng said.

    He appealed to African countries to work collectively to ensure that the Court could effectively administer international criminal justice without fear or favour, contribute to the fight against impunity, and promote respect for the rule of law and human rights.

    “As someone who witnessed first-hand the horrors in Rwanda, the Former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone and elsewhere, and who has been closely involved in the delivery of international justice at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, I know too well the consequences when the international community undermines the efforts of international justice.

    “We owe it to the victims of these horrendous crimes to strengthen rather than undermine the International Criminal Court, and to reaffirm our commitment to the Rome Statute to ‘put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes and thus contribute to their prevention,” he said.

    According to him, a candid dialogue by the African countries and ICC will enhance mutual trust and cooperation.

    Since the adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998, more than half of the world’s States have joined the Court, 34 among them are African nations, the biggest regional block to date .

    In July 2017, the Court’s founding Statue will mark the 15th anniversary of its entry into force.

    NAN

  • Boko Haram is broke but remains a serious threat – UN

     

    The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman has said the destructive Boko Haram insurgency group is currently plagued by financial difficulties, but shouldn’t be undermined as it remains a serious threat to the peaceful co-existence of their immediate dormains.

    Feltman stated this while briefing the Security Council on the UN Secretary-General’s Fourth Report on the threat the group poses to international peace and security efforts to “check and roll it back” on Tuesday

    The UN envoy also noted that Boko Haram was under intense military pressure, but warned against undermining its capacity to launch fatal attacks.

    “ISIL-affiliate Boko Haram is attempting to spread its influence and commit terrorist acts beyond Nigeria.

    “And Boko Haram remains a serious threat, with several thousand fighters at its disposal.

    “It is, however, plagued by financial difficulties and an internal power struggle, and has split in two factions,” Feltman said.

    While the previous reports on the subject had focused on South East Asia, Yemen and East Africa, Libya and Afghanistan, the fourth report focused on Europe, North Africa and West Africa.

    It noted that ISIL had conducted a range of attacks in Europe since declaring in 2014 its intent to target the region.

    Some of these attacks were directed and facilitated by ISIL personnel, while others were enabled by ISIL providing guidance or assistance or were inspired through its propaganda, it said.

    The report stated that while the military offensive in Libya had dislodged ISIL from its stronghold Sirte, the group’s threat to Libya and neighbouring countries persists.

    “Its fighters, estimated to range from several hundred to 3,000, have moved to other parts of the country.

    “ISIL has increased its presence in West Africa and the Maghreb, though the group does not control significant amounts of territory in the region.

    “The reported pledge of loyalty to ISIL by a splinter faction of Al-Mourabitoun led by Lehbib Ould Ali may elevate the level of the threat.”

    Following the increased military pressure, Feltman said ISIL is now on the defensive militarily in several regions, but was also adapting to military pressure by resorting to covert communications such as the ‘dark web’.

    “Although its income and the territory under its control are shrinking, ISIL still appears to have sufficient funds to continue fighting,” he warned.

    Feltman noted that ISIL relies mainly on income from extortion and hydrocarbon exploitation, even though resources from the latter are on the decline.

    According to him, UN Member States are concerned that ISIL will try to expand other sources of income, such as kidnapping for ransom, and increase its reliance on donations.

    “ISIL is adapting in several ways to military pressure, resorting to increasingly covert communication and recruitment methods, including by using the ‘dark web,’ encryption and messengers,” he warned.

    The report also noted some of the measures taken by Member States and the UN, stressing the need to develop sustained and coordinated responses to the grave threat posed by ISIL and associated groups and entities.

    Feltman said that there were 19 universal counter-terrorism conventions and protocols, as well as related regional instruments on international terrorism, and relevant UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions.

    “But we need to do more, as Member States continue to face significant challenges to ensure effective international cooperation,” he said.

    He warned that foreign terrorist fighters leaving the conflict could pose a grave risk to their homeland or to the countries they are travelling to or transiting through, such as Iraq and Syria’s neighbours, as well as countries in the Maghreb.

    “Ultimately, it is the spread and consolidation of peace, security, development and human rights that will most effectively deprive terrorism of the oxygen it needs to survive,” he concluded.

     

  • 74m youth can’t find jobs – UN chief

    No fewer than 74 million youth are currently idle due to lack of jobs, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, has said.

    Guterres, who made the remarks in his message to the Sixth UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, regretted the realities of unfortunate global challenges confronting the youth.

    “Let me speak directly to these young participants. Just by being here, you show you care about the issues.

    “Poverty. Unemployment. Climate change. Inequality. Injustice. You, your friends and young people around the world are living these realities.

    “Globally, 74 million young people cannot find jobs.

    “Conflicts are shattering families – and driving record numbers of youth from their homes.

    “Even where there is peace, young people suffer from violence and discrimination,” Guterres said.

    The UN chief, however, commended the resilience of the young people in spite of the difficulties that they faced.

    “Young people are also on the vanguard of progress – as entrepreneurs, activists and community leaders.

    “You inspire change,” the secretary-general said.

    Guterres said the forum is interactive, adding the UN wants to hear from the young people.

    “Tell us how the United Nations can see the world from your perspective – and answer your concerns.

    “All of you have the talent, energy and ideals to prevent conflicts, defend human rights, secure peace and realise the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he said.

    According to him, the UN has already elevated youth issues on the global agenda, and commended Mr Ahmad Alhendawi, the first-ever Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth.

    “He (Alhendawi) has been a remarkable force in bringing together the UN and the world’s young people.

    “We will build on this to create a safer and more stable world for all,” Guterres said.

  • SERAP, NUJ drag FG, others to UN over crackdown on journalists, media houses

    SERAP, NUJ drag FG, others to UN over crackdown on journalists, media houses

    The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) have sent an urgent appeal to Mr. David KAYE, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, requesting him to “urgently intervene to prevail on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army, police and several state governments to end growing clampdown, intimidation and harassment of journalists, online newspapers, and bloggers.”

    The urgent appeal followed the arrest the recent arrest of Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of the online newspaper Premium Times, and the judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu.

    The appeal signed by Adetokunbo Mumuni SERAP executive director and Abdulwaheed Odusile President, Nigerian Union of Journalists expressed “concern concerned about the Nigeria’s government’s erosion of media freedom and continuing readiness of its agencies and state governments to limit the operation of online newspapers and bloggers in the country.”

    The appeal reads in part: “We note that under international law criticism of public measures or comment on Government action, however strongly worded, would be consistent with the fundamental right to freedom of expression, and media freedom.”

    “We believe that the crackdown and the increasingly restrictive media atmosphere and impermissible restrictions to freedom of expression has damaged Nigeria’s democratic credentials and violated its international human rights obligations. The crackdown has also impeded the ability of journalists, online newspapers, bloggers and the media in general to hold government authorities to account or scrutinize their activities.”

    “The arbitrary arrest of Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of online newspaper Premium Times, and the judiciary correspondent of the online newspaper, Evelyn Okakwu would seem to mark an intensification of a crackdown on media freedom that has been going on for some time now”.

    “The Army had accused the online newspaper of ‘unwarranted serial provocative, unauthorised, libellous and defamatory publications against the person of Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Army counter insurgency operations in the North East,’ and threatened to take action against the and its publisher.”

    “We argue that while public officials are entitled to protection of their reputation, including protection against defamation, as individuals who have sought to play a role in public affairs they should tolerate a greater degree of scrutiny and criticism than ordinary citizens. This distinction serves the public interest by making it harder for those in positions of power to use the law to deter or penalize those who seek to expose official wrongdoing, and it facilitates public debate about issues of governance.”

    “We further note that the UN Human Rights Committee, the independent expert body that monitors state compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in its General Comment No. 34 states that “the value placed by the Covenant upon uninhibited expression is particularly high. The mere fact that forms of expression are considered to be insulting to a public figure is not sufficient to justify the imposition of penalties. All public figures are legitimately subject to criticism and political opposition.”

    “In addition, the Human Rights Committee has said that “defamation laws must be crafted with care to ensure that they do not serve, in practice, to stifle freedom of expression. State parties [such as Nigeria] should consider the decriminalization of defamation.” We therefore believe that criminal penalties infringe on peaceful expression and are always disproportionate punishments for any perceived reputational harm.”

    “We note that the legal tool that has been repeatedly used to threaten, intimidate, harass and press politically motivated charges against journalists, online newspapers and bloggers is the obnoxious and unlawful Cybercrime Act of 2015 which was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan in May of that year.”

    “Cyber stalking, which falls under Section 24 of the act, carries a fine of up to 7 million naira (USD$22,000) and a maximum three-year jail term for anyone convicted of knowingly sending an online message that “he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another”.

    “We further argue that the Cybercrime Act is vaguely worded, overly broad, and prone to misuse and have fact been repeatedly and arbitrarily used against journalists, online newspapers and bloggers, as the cases highlighted have shown. The use of the Cybercrime Act has created an environment of intolerance, with a chilling, inhibiting effect on freedom of thought and discussion.”

    “We also argue argues that the Cybercrime Act is inconsistent with Nigeria’s international legal obligations, and undermines rather than strengthen efforts to prevent and combat corruption, and, because freedom of expression is an enabler of other rights, threaten to erode human rights protections more generally. The Cybercrime Act therefore impose limitations on expression that go beyond the restrictions that are permitted by international law and, in conflict with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).”

    “We note that the ability to practice journalism free from undue interference, to peacefully criticize government and its officials, and to express critical views is crucial to the fight against corruption, and the exercise and enjoyment of many other human rights. Freedom of opinion and expression is a cornerstone of a democratic society. It extends not only to “information” or “ideas” that are favourably received, but also to those that offend, shock or disturb.”

    “We also note that Nigeria is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantee the right to freedom of expression and impose legal obligations on states to protect freedom of expression and information. The Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) also protects freedom of expression, and includes language that permits for limitations on that right, which broadly tracks article provisions of the Covenant and Charter,” the appeal stated.

  • António Guterres appoints Mamabolo Joint Special Representative for Darfur

    ImageFile: António Guterres appoints Mamabolo Joint Special Representative for Darfur
    António Guterres, UNSG.

    United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, today announced the appointment of South African Jeremiah Nyamane Kingsley Mamabolo as acting Joint Special Representative for Darfur (JSRD) after firing Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi, a Nigerian occupying the position formerly.

    Uhomoibhi was appointed Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in October 2015 until he was relieved of his duties for Mamabolo to take over.

    Mamabolo was commissioned to head the UNAMID as well by the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

    Both the UNSG and the AU Chief expressed gratefulness to Uhomoibhi for his service during his tenure.

    The incoming JSRD and UNAMID head brings to the position first-hand experience in dealing with the situation in Darfur, as well as expertise from his distinguished career in the diplomatic service. Since 2016, he has been serving UNAMID as Deputy Joint Special Representative for Pillar I, overseeing political, human rights, and legal aspects of the Mission’s activities.

    From 2013 to 2016, he served as Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during which he also acted as Chair of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China. In 2009, Mamabolo was appointed High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria.

    Previously, Mamabolo facilitated peace processes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi as his country’s Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region (2006-2009). He also served as Deputy Director-General for African Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2002-2006).

    Mamabolo held other senior positions, such as the Permanent Representative to the AU, accredited also to Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti (1999-2002). During that time, he led efforts to promote dialogue in post-war Sierra Leone in his capacity as Special Envoy of the AU to Sierra Leone and the Mano River Basin (2001-2002). He also served as High Commissioner to Zimbabwe (1995-1999).

    Mamabolo holds a Master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and a diploma in journalism from Harare Polytechnic College, Zimbabwe.

    Born in 1955, he is married and has four children.

  • UN Peacekeeping Head advocates peaceful transition in DRC

    Addressing the Security Council, the head of United Nations peacekeeping operations today urged the international community to push for a swift endorsement of the 31 December political accord in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and to put in place a transitional government of national unity.

    “The signing of the 31 December accord gives hope for a peaceful resolution of the political impasse,” the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, told the 15-member Council.

    He warned that failure to sign the agreement, facilitated by Conférence Episcopale Nationale du Congo (CENCO) mediators and reached in DRC’s capital Kinshasa on 31 December 2016, could delay elections and increase the risk of renewed political crisis and increased violence in the country.

    “Regional and international actors should maintain strong support for the implementation of the accord and the holding of elections, as soon as feasible,” Mr. Ladsous said.

    The accord builds on an initial political agreement between part of the opposition and the majorité présidentielle reached in October under the auspices of the African Union (AU) facilitation. It aims for a peacefully managed transition consistent with the democratic principles enshrined in the country’s Constitution.

    In addition to political developments in the country, Mr. Ladsous addressed recent human rights violations and acts of violence that occurred on 19 and 20 December. At least 42 people were killed and 140 others injured in clashed between national security forces and demonstrators.

    The senior UN official called on the Congolese Government “to initiate a full investigation into the events that led to the excessive use of force and loss of life” during that time period, and to ensure that those responsible are held to account.

    He went on to cite the ongoing volatility in the security situation in eastern DRC. In addition to the threat posed by foreign armed groups, namely the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the Forces démocratiques pour la libération du Rwanda (FDLR), the activities of militia groups are on the rise in many parts of the country. “This increase in levels of armed violence is driven in part by the escalation of deep-rooted and long-standing conflicts between ethnic communities,” he noted.

    Mr. Ladsous said that the UN Secretariat and the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the country (MONUSCO) remain committed to working in support of the accord and the Congolese, and will present to the Security Council recommendations for how to best attain this goal.

  • UN wades into killings, attacks in Southern Kaduna

    The United Nations says it is currently investigating the alleged killings of over 800 people, mostly women and children in Southern Kaduna.

    UN made the disclosure in response to a petition by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, dated December 30 and was contained in a statement signed by SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokumbo Mumuni.

    In a statement sent to TheNewsGuru.com, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Dr Agnes Callamard noted that the “recent allegations of killings of over 800 citizens mostly women, children and the elderly in Southern Kaduna by suspected herdsmen, and to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and to provide reparations to victims.

    “Many thanks to SERAP for your petition. I am writing to confirm that I have well received it and will review it with great attention. I will update you on follow-up interventions.

    “We welcome the attention by the Special Rapporteur to the matter and her commitment to pursue justice and accountability with respect to the killings in Southern Kaduna.”

    SERAP had in its petition to Dr Callamard expressed, “concern that the killings of citizens in Southern Kaduna of Nigeria amount to serious violations of the rights to life; to security of the human person; to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being; and right to property guaranteed not only by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) but also the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”

    According to the petition, SERAP the UN rapporteur to prevail on the Nigerian authorities to take measures to urgently “secure the right to life, right to security and dignity of the human person and right to property of citizens in Southern Kaduna, and to prevent further attacks and killings by herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators.

    “Carry out an effective investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and to provide reparations to victims

    “Provide a framework of security for the protection of life, and to protect the lives of those individuals at risk from unlawful attacks in Southern Kaduna

    “Provide for an effective remedy and reparation for the victims.”

    The statement reads further, “SERAP contends that Nigerian authorities have failed and/or neglected to respect these human rights and to exercise due diligence to ensure that these rights are not violated by private individuals such as herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators. Nigerian government should therefore be held to account for failing or neglecting to guarantee and protect the rights of the people in Southern Kaduna, regardless of whether such violations are directly or indirectly attributable to the state or its officials.

    “SERAP is concerned that the Nigerian government has failed and/or neglected to create an environment in Southern Kaduna to end the unlawful killings by failing to move their legal and institutional machinery towards the actual realisation of these rights. It is in fact the failure by the government to take adequate measures to prevent the violence which has contributed to the increasing number of victims.”

    “SERAP believes that the killings would not have taken place if the Nigerian authorities have taken measures to prevent their happening and to address persistent impunity of those responsible for the violations and abuses. The lack of accountability for the attacks by herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators across the country has continued to create a culture of impunity which clearly is not compatible with the rule of law in a democratic society.”

    “According to the leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State, a total of 808 people were killed in 53 villages across the four local governments areas in the state ridden by crisis. The church leaders also said that 57 people were injured; farm produce estimated at N5.5 billion were also destroyed, and a total of 1,422 houses and 16 churches were burnt during the attacks. The affected communities are spread across Kaura, Sanga, Jama’a and Kauru Local Government Areas where there had been persistent attacks on communities by gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen.”

    Meanwhile, in another development, the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai announced the arrest of some masterminds behind the killings and attacks in Southern Kaduna.