The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Nigeria has announced the creation of a special panel to investigate the Reuters report that claimed the Nigerian military was involved in a secret abortion program in its fight against armed groups in the northeast region of the country. The NHRC stated that the panel, which will be chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Abdu Aboki, will focus on investigating the Reuters report, which was based on numerous witness accounts and documentation. The panel will consist of seven members, including a retired major general, a representative from the Nigerian Bar Association, and an expert in obstetrics and gynaecology.
The NHRC, which is appointed by the government, stated that the panel will be inaugurated on February 7th, 2023 in Abuja. Although the length of the investigation is yet to be determined, the findings of the panel will be a critical step in addressing the allegations of human rights violations in the country.
In December 2022, Reuters reported that Nigeria’s military abortion program involved terminating at least 10,000 pregnancies among women and girls, many of whom were allegedly kidnapped and raped by rebel fighters. The report was met with widespread condemnation, with human rights organizations calling for an investigation into the allegations.
Despite the calls for an investigation, the Nigerian military has dismissed the report as false and stated that they will not carry out their own investigation into the matter. The NHRC, however, has the power to recommend prosecution for offenders, which could result in significant consequences for those involved.
The creation of the special panel is a significant step towards addressing the allegations of human rights violations in Nigeria. The panel’s findings could have far-reaching consequences for those involved and could lead to greater accountability and transparency in the military’s operations in the northeast region.
The issue of human rights violations in Nigeria has been a persistent problem, with numerous allegations of abuses committed by both the military and rebel groups. The country has faced criticism from human rights organizations and the international community for its inability to effectively address these issues. The special panel is a significant step towards addressing these long-standing concerns and ensuring that human rights are protected in the country.
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