Lagos – Irked by the recent killings apparently by herdsmen in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has called on the United Nation (UN) Human Rights Council to hold a special session to address the wanton lose of lives.

SERAP also urged the UN Human rights body to speak out and condemn the killings by herdsmen in the country, and make an official visit to the country to discuss the killings and take concrete actions to end it.
The Organization which made the call in a statement issued over the weekend and signed by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said, “The UN Human Rights Council’s ability to successfully expose and hold perpetrators of human rights violations to account may be under threat if your office continues to ignore or pay little attention to the crimes and abuses apparently by herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators in Nigeria.

“The killings in Benue State of Nigeria and the distressing situation of farmers and their families paint a stark picture of the grave abuses carried out apparently by herdsmen and the impunity that they continue to enjoy. The actions of herdsmen hinder meaningful progress towards stability, development and peace in the country.

“We also urge your office to facilitate the process of creating a commission of inquiry to investigate killings by herdsmen in Nigeria, and to uncover, name and shame cow owners that hire the herdsmen, as such owners may be criminally complicit in the killings. The involvement of your office will ensure solid investigations into the alleged killings, and help draw international attention to the problem, which in turn will go a long way in putting pressure on the Nigerian authorities to take concrete and meaningful steps to end the killings and bring suspected perpetrators to justice.”

Related News

SERAP noted that, the Human Rights Council was created in 2006 to replace the failed UN Commission on Human Rights, which it said had largely been unwilling to address real human rights concerns in deserving countries.
According to SERAP, “The council needs to be vigilant to avoid the problems that plagued its predecessor, including a loss of relevance from failing to speak out on human rights violations and abuses in deserving countries, such as Nigeria.

“Nigeria is a member of the Human Rights Council, and has ratified several UN human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Nigeria has also ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which has in fact become part of the national laws.”

The Organization however expressed believe in the statement that, the holding of a special session on the violence and killings apparently by herdsmen in Benue State and elsewhere in Nigeria would contribute to a speedy end to the problem, and to peace and greater respect for human rights of farmers and their families as well as other citizens.

The UN Human Rights Council had previously held special sessions on the Occupied Palestinian Territories; Lebanon; Darfur; Myanmar; the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the Global Food Crisis and the Global Economic and Financial Crises, among others.