Shiites Protest: Britain, Amnesty International Wade in

The British High Commissioner, Paul Arkwright, has asked the Nigerian military to restrict their conduct to the rules of engagement and respect the freedom of worship guaranteed in the constitution, while admonishing those who want to take to the streets not to take the law into their hands.

Arkwright, in a rare but timely statement was reacting to the gale of protests that have erupted in parts of the North of Nigeria and other parts of the world as a result of the reported clash between the army and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as the Shiites, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives.

Said he: “Like many across Nigeria, I am following with concern the reports of violence in Zaria over the weekend between the Nigerian security forces and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. I am further concerned at reports that protests in Kaduna have turned violent. Nigeria’s religious and ethnic diversity adds a great deal to this country’s rich culture. It is important, therefore, that Nigerians of all faiths are allowed to assemble and worship freely. In addition, I call on the security forces to conduct their operations within the rule of law, and for demonstrators to ensure any protests are peaceful and equally act within the law.”

Similarly,  Amnesty International (AI) condemned the incident, on the heels of strong words from Iran, the seat of the sect worldwide.

AI, which has been quite critical of the Nigerian military, for alleged extra-judicial killings, seemed to have found another opportunity to up the ante, with a statement coming from its Director in Nigeria, M.K. Ibrahim, calling for an urgent investigation into the Kaduna saga.

Regardless, the international human rights body, sued for the full weight of the law to be brought against anybody found culpable “for unlawful killings.”
“Whilst the final death toll is unclear, there is no doubt that there has been a substantial loss of life at the hands of the military,” said M.K. Ibrahim, Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria.

“Firearms should only be used as a last resort, if strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. It is crucial that the authorities refrain from using excessive force and ensure that anyone responsible for unlawful killings is brought to justice in fair trials.”

“As well as the loss of life, security forces arrested many members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), including the leader of the group, Ibraheem Zakzaky, who was picked up at his residence on Sunday morning and remains in detention. It is unclear if he has access to a lawyer. Reports suggest that the dead and injured were taken to the military hospital and to the university teaching hospital.

“Nigerian security forces have a history of carrying out unlawful killings and other human rights violations. In the course of security operations against Boko Haram, Nigerian military forces have committed serious human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity in north east Nigeria.

“An impartial investigation is urgently needed into these killings. Anyone responsible for unlawful killings should be brought to justice. Those in detention must be granted access to medical care as a matter of urgency and either charged with a recognizable criminal offence or released,” said M.K. Ibrahim.