It begins with a judgement which it does not try to justify:
"The failure of this government to sincerely handle the insecurity and protect Nigerians from violence orchestrated by merchants of violence through Bombings, Armed robbery, kidnapping, communal clashes, political violence, ethno-religious violence and rape, helps to escalate impunity in Nigeria. This is in spite of the huge resources allocated for security sector in Nigeria which runs into trillions of naira, but yet Nigerians face more security challenges."
Why does the author state that the govt is not sincere in its tackling of security?
Do these uncritical critics of the govt want the govt to wipe out the communities where the Islamic terrorists have integrated themselves into the local comuituies before they admit the govt is working hard to handle a problem greater than that faced by even the more developed Western countries in their struggle with Islamic or any kind of terrorism?
That is a different issue from the question of relief materials being allowed into Baga. The military claims they are delaying entry of relief because of security issues.
When dealing with a faceless and cunning enemy like the Boko Haram Islamic terrorists , even your shadow might need to be watched, for your own good and those of others.
Has this claim been investigated before condemning the military?
Thanks
Toyin
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--BAGA MASSACRE: CISLAC CONDEMNS MILITARY BRUTALITY ON INNOCENT CIVILIANS
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) is worried about the continued violent violation of human rights by the security agencies on innocent Nigerians. The failure of this government to sincerely handle the insecurity and protect Nigerians from violence orchestrated by merchants of violence through Bombings, Armed robbery, kidnapping, communal clashes, political violence, ethno-religious violence and rape, helps to escalate impunity in Nigeria. This is in spite of the huge resources allocated for security sector in Nigeria which runs into trillions of naira, but yet Nigerians face more security challenges.
The recent development of mass massacre in Baga Town of Borno State is very unfortunate and in particular the alleged blocking access of relief materials to the affected victims days after the mayhem is inhumane and amount to siege. Relief workers are yet to be allowed access to Baga town days after the start of the military operations that left at least 200 people dead and so many homes burnt down. The residents said troops fired indiscriminately and set fires at homes in an apparent retaliation over the death of an officer.
CISLAC is of the opinion that there should be a better mutual understanding of cultures and systems between humanitarian aid workers and troops, so as to develop mutual respect. To do this, it would be useful to put in place a programme of strategic and operational discussions at all levels. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Red Cross have raised alarm over its inability to administer humanitarian response to victims which is a total contradiction to the United Nation Protocol on options for responding to such crises. Even in war situations, relief materials are distributed to alleviate the sufferings of the people. It is considered very unprofessional not to accept the opportunity to play a more dynamic role on how to coordinate and respond to emergencies which was created by it (the Army) in the first place.
CISLAC considers this a coercive military intervention, even though a military component of some kind has become increasingly necessary in most crises situation; it must not eclipse and violate rights of civilians. Major humanitarian actors from both within and outside Borno, and its aim at facilitating inter-agency analysis and decision making in response to humanitarian emergencies should not be an issue for negotiation considering that access to food is part of civilian protection.
It must be understood that continuous refusal to provide access humanitarian officials to the victims would further create an outbreak of diseases, hunger and deaths of women and children. We consider this siege an impunity which is unacceptable and a contradiction to the rules of engagement in such situation. We condemn this and call for investigation into the Baga saga.
CISLAC calls on relevant authorities to refrain from the current faceoff in Baga, not as an argument about the 'right to intervene' but about the 'responsibility to protect' and put in place a proper coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the community to safeguard the lives of people.
CISLAC calls on the authorities to investigate these Army and Police officers involved in this heinous act and ensure that they are not allowed participating in any peacekeeping operations forthwith. These sorts of violations are parts of the image challenges that the nation had suffered over the years from the international community when some Nigerian Army officers were sent for international peace mission.
CISLAC therefore calls on the National Assembly to investigate the trillions of Naira allocated to the executives in the name of security votes, from all indications, insecurity is proving to be a lucrative business which financial appropriation is unaccounted for. This menace has gone on too long and needs to seriously be challenged.
Signed by
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani
Executive Director
CISLAC
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) is a non-governmental, non-profit legislative advocacy, lobbying, information sharing and research organization. (CISLAC) works towards bridging the gap between the legislature and the electorate; by enhancing lobbying strategies; engagement of bills before their passage into law; manpower development for lawmakers, legislative aides, politicians and the civil society, as well as civic education on the tenets of democracy and Human Rights.
CISLAC has UN ECOSOC consultative status
AUWAL IBRAHIM MUSA (RAFSANJANI)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
Address:
No.7 Mahathma Gandhi Street,
Off Shehu Shagari Way,
By Bullet Garden, Area 11 Junction,
Asokoro, Abuja - Nigeria
Website: www.cislacnigeria.netcislacnationalassembly@yahoo.com, rafsanjanikano@yahoo.com
GSM: +234-8033844646, 08052370333, 07034118266
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