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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticized the Nigerian military’s invitation to Amnesty International to substantiate its claim that 10,000 civilians have died in military detention, labelling the move unconstitutional and potential misuse of power.
This controversy follows Amnesty International’s statement at a December 5 press conference in Maiduguri, where the organization alleged significant civilian deaths linked to the military’s operations in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East.
The military dismissed these allegations as “malicious and baseless,” with Major-General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, defending the military’s adherence to international humanitarian laws.
However, the military’s invitation for Amnesty International to provide evidence has drawn sharp criticism from HURIWA, which argued that the military lacks the constitutional authority to adjudicate such claims.
“The armed forces are not a judicial body under Section 6 of the Nigerian Constitution. It is not their role to validate or invalidate allegations,” the group stated.
HURIWA emphasized that any grievances against Amnesty International’s claims should be pursued through legal channels.
The organization also warned that the military’s actions could intimidate civil society organizations and stifle democratic accountability.
“Amnesty International’s advocacy for human rights is essential in any democratic society. The military’s approach risks deterring other organizations from highlighting human rights abuses, which undermines democracy and violates the Nigerian Constitution,” HURIWA added.
The rights group also called for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate Amnesty International’s claims, urging transparency and accountability from the military.
HURIWA concluded by reaffirming its support for the military’s role in national security but stressed that this must not come at the expense of civil liberties and the rule of law.
This developing conflict highlights the ongoing tension between the Nigerian military’s operations and civil society organizations advocating for human rights and accountability.