UN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE ‘VERY CONCERNED’ BY HEAVY FIGHTING IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 3 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400
Subject: UN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE 'VERY CONCERNED' BY HEAVY FIGHTING IN
NORTHEAST NIGERIA
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

UN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE 'VERY CONCERNED' BY HEAVY FIGHTING IN NORTHEAST
NIGERIANew York, May 3 2013 1:00PMThe United Nations today
reiterated its calls on the Nigerian Government to abide by human
rights principles during security patrols following reports that
nearly 220 civilians were killed during violent clashes between
military forces and the Islamist group Boko Haram.

"We are very concerned about the large number of casualties,
reportedly including many civilians, and massive destruction of houses
and property, as well as displacement that has taken place in over the
past few weeks in north-eastern Nigeria," the spokesperson for the UN
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Rupert
Colville, <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13290&LangID=E">told
journalists today in Nigeria.

"We call on the Government to make sure its efforts to achieve
security are in full compliance with human rights principles," he
added, also urging security forces and the military to respect human
rights, and avoid excessive use of force when conducting operations,
as the patrols stoked local resentment, especially when civilians were
killed or had their property damaged.

The renewed calls are a response to incidents in Baga, a town on the
shores of Lake Chad in which fighting erupted overnight on 16 April
and continued for days. OHCHR said the fighting was spurred by the
killing of a soldier on a military patrol by the Islamic extremist
group, Boko Haram which is based in the State.

Mr. Colville said that OHCHR welcomes President Goodluck Jonathan's
commitment to hold accountable all those involved in the human rights
violations perpetrated during the Baga attack, and urges the Nigerian
government to carry out a "full and impartial investigation"

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said immediately after the attack that
he was "shocked and saddened" by the civilian casualties and called
all concerned to fully respect human rights and protect civilians.

"We repeat our calls for concerted efforts to tackle the causes of the
repeated outbreaks of violence in the north east of Nigeria and to put
an end the cycle of violence and deadly reprisal attacks," Mr.
Colville said today.

As part of an overall effort to stem the violence with means other
than force, President Jonathan has established a Committee to work out
modalities for an amnesty and compensation for victims, as well as to
open talks with Boko Haram. OHCHR today said it welcomes the
establishment of the Committee as an "important step."

The Office urged, however, that perpetrators of serious human rights
violations, including by Boko Haram elements and members of the
security forces, are held accountable and that amnesties are not
granted to anyone responsible for very serious violations.

Boko Haram has reportedly been responsible for kidnappings, killings
and drive-by motorbike assassinations of civilians and politicians,
members of government institutions, security forces and foreign
nationals.

Last year, over 100 people were killed when the radical group attacked
churches in Kaduna State, drawing widespread condemnation from the
UN.May 3 2013 1:00PM
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