May 22, (THEWILL) – The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr. Tony Ojukwu, has said respecting human rights in counter-insurgency operations will significantly reduce the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
Ojukwu stated this during a two-day training on mainstreaming human rights and civilian protection into counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Represented by the Coordinator, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and National Human Rights Commission monitoring project in the North East, Mr. Benedict Agu, Ojukwu said respecting principles of human rights will also reduce the casualty level and other protection challenges.
He explained that constant engagement with military officers who are constantly involved in the kinetic operations will sustain the gains so far achieved, noting that the asymmetric nature of the conflict has made it more complicated.
“There is, therefore, an extreme need to prosecute the insurgency operations to win the hearts and minds of the civilian population of Nigeria. This has underscored the importance of this training on mainstreaming principles of respect for human rights and civilian protection in the counter-insurgency operations,” Ojukwu said.
Protection Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Maiduguri sub-office, Hostencia Esua, said the mandate of the Agency is to support Governments and conflict-affected communities deliver protection response.
She emphasised that the collaborative engagement between security agencies, the Human Rights Commission and UNHCR will bring about solutions to issues of displacement and protection of human rights.
“For our security personnel, you have been at the forefront to provide physical security as you are aware that the insurgencies in Nigeria gave birth to the era of IDPs with needed protection by the government,” Esua remarked.
The UNHCR Officer said the project aims to reach IDPs and returnees through detention facility monitoring, human rights case monitoring and referrals, raising awareness, advocacies and capacity building.
About the Author
I am Ladi Dapson, a general writer with thewill. I cover Borno and Yobe states respectively.
I based Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
I can be reached via [email protected].
Very high and kind regards!
