Amnesty International today
announced the opening of its new national office in Nigeria. This move is part
of a major drive to increase the impact of its human rights work in the
country.
In a press statement, made available
to New Telegraph, and signed by the Amnesty International Press Officer, Eulette
Ewart, it was disclosed that M.K.
Ibrahim, former career Ambassador,
will head the new Amnesty International
Nigeria office.
According
to the statement, Amnesty International will work together and carry out its campaign
with supports from civil society groups, human rights activists and others in
Nigeria.
Ewart said: “The establishment of
Amnesty International Nigeria sets out a new way of working for the world’s
leading human rights organization in the West African country. Responsibilities
that were previously held in London have now been transferred to the new
national office in Abuja which will act as the main base for the global
movement’s research, campaign and communications work addressing human rights
violations in Nigeria. The office has a staff of seven people and is led by
M.K. Ibrahim.”
Amnesty International Secretary
General, Salil Shetty, added:“Nigeria has achieved remarkable things, but
serious violations continue, unpunished. In establishing a permanent base in
Nigeria, we want to send a clear message: Amnesty International stands in
solidarity with the victims of human rights violations, alongside the
individuals and organizations already fighting abuses. The new government has
made promises of accountability, and we welcome that. Now, we must hold them to
their words."
Ewart said that Amnesty
International will campaign and lobby on a wide range of issues in Nigeria.
These include the ongoing attacks and atrocities by Boko Haram, violations
committed by the military and other security forces, use of torture, forced
evictions and the right to adequate housing and the devastating impact of
decades of oil pollution on communities in the Niger Delta.
“Amnesty International Nigeria
will also strengthen partnerships with national human rights organizations and
support campaigning by civil society organizations across the country,” said Ewart.
Ewart explained that Ibrahim,a
former Ambassador, will bring a wealth of experience to the role of Director of
Amnesty International Nigeria, having served in Nigeria’s Foreign Service in
various capacities and specializing in human rights.
Amnesty International Nigeria, under
the direction of Ibrahim, will continue to work for the protection and
promotion of human rights and social justice in the country, and hold the
Federal and state governments to account through its campaigning, research
projects and lobbying.
Ibrahim said: “From the
relatives of the thousands killed and missing in north-east Nigeria to the
thousands of villagers in the Niger Delta who cannot plant crops or drink clean
water because of oil pollution, Amnesty International will stand in solidarity
with all the people in Nigeria who face human rights violations and abuses. Having
a permanent base in Abuja, will enable us to campaign harder, shout louder and
deliver research and analysis into human rights abuses more rapidly than we
could before. More than that, we will be able to stand in solidarity with
Nigerian activists and human rights defenders who tirelessly seek justice and
better rights for all in Nigeria.”
No comments:
Post a Comment