(Biafra freedom movement: ... determination, resilience, restoration, transformation...)
Bertram Nwannekanma, The Guardian,
Lagos, Friday 14 April 2017 [published unedited from original]
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (AI) has called
for an immediate end to human rights’ violation against the pro-Biafra
activists in Nigeria. The group made the call in a letter by Evelin de Leliwa
from its Germany office to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu
Dogara. The Guardian obtained a copy
of the letter dated March 20, 2017 yesterday.
It also called for an investigation
into the alleged killings and disappearances of members of the Indigenous
Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and their supporters in several incidents.
The letter urged the Federal
Government to release all IPOB members and their supporters who are currently
being detained in the country without trial. He also urged Dogara to announce
an end to the deployment of the military in peaceful assemblies in the country.
The group called for the full payment
of reparation to all those who have suffered human rights violation as a direct
result of the security forces’ operations in the southeast and south south
regions of the country.
The AI disclosed that at least, 150 pro-Biafra
protesters were killed during the Biafra Remembrance Day in the southeast,
during which the security forces, led by the military, embarked on a campaign
of extrajudicial executions and violence.
According to the group, the analysis
of 87 videos, 122 photographs and 146 eyewitness testimonies relating to the
demonstrations and other gatherings between August 2015 and August 2016, showed
that the military fired live ammunition with little or no warning to disperse
the crowds.
The group further stated that it found
evidence of mass extrajudicial executions by the security forces, including at
least, 60 people who were shot dead within two days in connection with the
remembrance.
It said: “Since August 2015, there had
been a series of protests marches and gatherings by members and supporters of
IPOB, who are seeking the creation of a Biafran state.
According to the group, the tensions
increased when the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu was arrested on October 14, 2015
and had since remained in detention. “The largest number of pro-Biafra
activists were killed on May 30, 2016 when an estimated 1,000 IPOD members and
supporters had gathered for a rally in Onitsha, Anambra State.
“The security forces raided some homes
and a church where the IPOB members were sleeping in the night before the rally
on May 2016 and also shot people in several locations.”
The group alleged that the inspector
general of police had failed to act, despite sharing its key findings with the
minister of justice and attorney general, chief of defence staff, chief of army
staff, ministries of interior, foreign affairs and the department of state
services.
Twitter @HerbertEkweEkwe
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