Human Rights Violations in Nigeria

This research paper explores human rights violations in Nigeria. The research looks at the political, economic, and social environment of the country as well as the legal framework within which human rights are violated.

There have been various reports of human rights violations in Nigeria. These include extrajudicial killings, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and forced eviction among others.

Amnesty International has reported that the Nigerian security forces have been involved in extrajudicial killings, torture, and other ill-treatment of detainees. One of the most recent cases is that of a group of more than 500 men and boys who were killed by soldiers in January 2017 in northeastern Nigeria. The soldiers had opened fire on the group who were fleeing from Boko Haram militants.

In 2013, Amnesty International also documented how the Nigerian security forces had used torture to extract confessions from detainees in their custody. The organization reported that the security forces had used electric shocks, waterboarding, and beatings on detainees.

There have been various reports of rape and other forms of sexual violence by the Nigerian security forces. In 2016, Amnesty International reported that soldiers had raped women and girls who were internally displaced in northeastern Nigeria. The soldiers had also sexually assaulted women and girls who were seeking refuge at a military camp in Maiduguri.

The research will also look at cases of arbitrary detention and forced eviction in Nigeria. Arbitrary detention is when people are detained without charge or trial. Forced evictions are when people are forcibly removed from their homes without their consent.

Both of these have been used as a means of human rights violations in Nigeria. In 2015, the Nigerian military detained more than 1,000 people without charge or trial in Borno State. The military had accused them of being Boko Haram militants.

In 2016, the Nigerian government carried out forcible evictions of more than 30,000 people in Lagos State. The government said that the evictions were necessary to clear slums and make way for development projects. However, Amnesty International said that the evictions were done without adequate notice or compensation for the evicted residents.

The research will also look at the legal framework within which human rights are violated in Nigeria. The Constitution of Nigeria guarantees the right to life, freedom from torture, and the right to a fair trial. However, these rights are often violated.

The research will also look at the role of the international community in addressing human rights violations in Nigeria. The African Union has been involved in efforts to end the conflict in northeastern Nigeria. However, human rights violations have continued despite the presence of African Union troops.

The United Nations has also been involved in efforts to address human rights violations in Nigeria. In 2016, the UN established a Human Rights Up FrontAction Plan to prevent and respond to human rights violations.

The research will conclude with a discussion on the way forward for human rights in Nigeria.