Zaria killings: Amnesty International Calls for probe

Wednesday, December 16, 2015 11:55 am

How it all began: Soldiers talking with the Shiites on Saturday

Amnesty International has called for the urgent probe of the shooting and killing of members of the Shi’ite religious group in Zaria, Kaduna state, by the Nigerian army.

With reports that at least 60 people were brutally murdered, the rights group said anyone found responsible for the unlawful killings must be brought to justice.

“Whilst the final death toll is unclear, there is no doubt that there has been a substantial loss of life at the hands of the military,” said M.K. Ibrahim, Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria.

Shiite elements blocking the road on Saturday. Hospital says over 60 corpses brought to the morgue

“Firearms should only be used as a last resort, if strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. It is crucial that the authorities refrain from using excessive force and ensure that anyone responsible for unlawful killings is brought to justice in fair trials.”

As well as the loss of life, security forces arrested many members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), including the leader of the group, Ibraheem Zakzaky, who was picked up at his residence on Sunday morning and remains in detention. It is unclear if he has access to a lawyer. Reports suggest that the dead and injured were taken to the military hospital and to the university teaching hospital.

Nigerian security forces have a history of carrying out unlawful killings and other human rights violations. In the course of security operations against Boko Haram, Nigerian military forces have committed serious human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity in north east Nigeria.

“An impartial investigation is urgently needed into these killings. Anyone responsible for unlawful killings should be brought to justice. Those in detention must be granted access to medical care as a matter of urgency and either charged with a recognizable criminal offence or released,” said M.K. Ibrahim.

Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission said it has set up a special panel to probe the killings in Zaria.