Following alleged human right violation by the Nigerian military, the member representing Langtang North/Langtang South constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Beni Lar in collaboration with Coalition for Human Development (CHD) and the National Human Right Commission has organised a sensitization rally for the people of her constituency.
Lar said the essence of the rally was to enable the people know their right and report any human right violation to the appropriate agency for prompt action.
The Lawmaker who was represented by her Senior Legislative Assistant, Mr. Joshua Ubandoma yesterday, at the rally which was attended by hundreds of youth, women, elderly, other vulnerable groups and Internally Displaced Persons IDPs, said a similar rally was held last year December with the theme,” Know your right, leave your life and respect other peoples right.
According to her, the rally was the phase two of the event with also a theme: “Peace is Priceless, let us embrace it, avoid violence, respect the right of the elderly, report cases of human right abuse to the National Human Right Commission, NHRC”.
Lar pointed out that no meaningful development will take place in a violent environment, urging the people to embrace peace irrespective of their religion, political and tribal difference.
“A situation whereby those who are supposed to protect the vulnerable in the society now turn their gun against them is most regrettable,” she lamented.
The people who spoke at the rally demanded for answers for injustice meted on their communities by soldiers who are supposed to protect them, asking what NHRC has done to address this heinous crime against humanity.
In her remarks, Director of Corporate Affairs,
NHRC, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwakanwa, said one of the responsibilities of government was to protect the people. She noted that the commission did not only carry out sensitization, but also educate public organisations of their roles to the people.
Speaking on the alleged invasion of some communities by the Nigerian military, she said the NHRC had gone to Kadarko to investigate the abuse of human rights that was allegedly committed by the military, noting that one of their functions was to fight for vulnerable people in the society.
Nwakanwa added that, the agency had also sensitize the military on the need to respect human right and the rules of engagement, adding that the commission has been able to get the military to pay compensation to victims of human right abuse by their officers.
The Commission further disclosed that the Nigeria Army had established human right desk to look into human right abuses.
“We are looking forward for the establishment of human right desk at both local and state government levels so that any human right violation should be reported to the state office for proper investigation and action.
It would be recalled that Ngwang Ishi Otaroh, a socio cultural and political pressure group of Taroh nation through its Chairman, Lohbut Jangle, and the Secretary, Zingfa Danbaki, had accused the Special Task Force responsible for the maintenance of peace in the State and the 3 Armored Division of the Nigeria Army, Jos, of a planned genocide against the Tarok people.
Taroh villages which include Kadarko, Mutum Biyu, Wadatan Arewa, and Wadatan Kasuwa all in Wase Local Government Area in Southern Plateau were attacked on May, 2nd, 2015, by persons suspected to be soldiers, leaving over 50 dead and 150 others with various degrees of injuries.
Comments