Running head: VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA

Violation of Human Rights in Nigeria

VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA Violation of Human Rights in Nigeria Nigeria ranks high among countries where human rights are violated and abused. The

legacy of the civil war that ravaged the country leaving in its wake one to three million Nigerians dead and probably three million displaced (Falola & Heaton, 2008, 180) resulted in a considerable build-up of the countrys military forces and, moreover, in the development of the military sect Boko Haram (Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, 2011). Human rights abuse is common; it includes large-scale killings; ethnic, regional, and religious violence is also common. Corruption, often practiced by official agencies and impunity at all levels of government, jointly with an implementation of Sharia laws by some states facilitated sexual harassment and harmful traditional practices that are distinct features of human rights violations in the country. The world community repeatedly expressed its anxiety as to the situation with human rights in Nigeria; however, the current situation is disturbing, and great efforts should be exerted to achieve any progress. At the same time, it was admitted that foreign interests continue to play a large role in sustaining some conflicts in the competition for oil and other African resources (Africa: Annan Conflict Report, 1998). Different governments and international organizations used to support different parties in the civil war and other conflicts. The current situation in Nigeria is monitored by Global rights group, Amnesty International, which states, in its most recent report, that the Nigerian army has committed human rights violations in its attempts to crackdown Islamist Boko Haram militants (Nigerian Army Violating Human Rights with Impunity Charges Amnesty, 2912). The clash of the security forces with Boko Haram only increases human rights abuse and triggers new cycles of violence.

VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA References Africa: Annan Conflict Report. (1998). Retrieved from http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Urgent_Action/apic_42398.html

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/186441.pdf Falola, T., & Heaton, M. M. (2008). A History of Nigeria. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Nigerian Army Violating Human Rights with Impunity Charges Amnesty. Big News Network.com. 1st November, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php/sid/210471576

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