Nigeria´s Human Rights
By: Bhashyr Akinwande December 6, 2018
Introduction
There are a lot of injustices happening around the world, but I’m here to talk about the injustices happening in Nigeria. I chose Nigeria because it is where my dad grew up and is a part of my heritage. I want to raise awareness for the problems in Nigeria that go against the United Nations' 70 year old Human Rights Declaration.
My Investigation
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document that was adopted or taken up by the UN. This happened on December 10, 1948 in Paris, France. 48 members out of the 58 members approved, but no one voted against it. The Human Rights Declaration is a list of 30 articles of individuals' inalienable rights. Throughout history, these articles have not been followed by everyone. Countries and governments all over world face these problems where their rights are not being held up to the proper standards. In this investigation, we will take a look at three issues in Nigeria that go against the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights.
Oct 23, 2018: VIOLENCE AGAINST WORSHIPPERS
In Nigeria, The Governor of Kaduna, Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, ordered military intervention and a 24-hour curfew after a brawl between the Muslim and Christian communities killed 55 people. The clash took place in Kaduna after fighting broke out between teens in a marketplace. Kaduna is home to both Muslim and Christian communities and has seen periods of intense religious violence in recent years. This issue is about one side is trying to suppress the other side's religion. Such oppressive action goes against the 18th Article in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."
Nov 5, 2018: VIOLENCE AGAINST PROTESTORS
Nigeria’s military has pointed to Donald Trump’s words to justify its deadly shootings of protesters last week in the capital Abuja. Amnesty International reports that more than 40 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were killed last Monday during a peaceful demonstration demanding the release of their jailed leader. In response to the violence, the Nigerian military’s official Twitter posted a response (which was later deleted) that read: “Please Watch and Make Your Deductions.” It was accompanied by a video of Trump warning that soldiers should shoot migrants who throw rocks. This goes against the 20th article in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states:
"(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.''
Oct 16, 2018: VIOLENCE AGAINST CITIZENS
In Nigeria, the militant group Boko Haram has killed 24-year-old Hauwa Liman, a nurse for the International Committee of the Red Cross, who was kidnapped in March along with two other aid workers. Boko Haram killed another of the captives, Saifura Ahmed, in September. Boko Haram has killed over 20,000 people and kidnapped thousands, including many children, and fighting between the group and government forces has displaced some 2 million people since 2009. This violence goes against the 5th article in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.''