Human Rights Watch Condemns Nigerian Army's Killings in Zaria

Strategic Insights -

Human Rights Watch on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, condemned the Nigerian army's killing of hundreds of Shia Muslim members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in Zaria, northern Nigeria, from December 12 to 14, 2015. The rights group called for an independent and impartial probe into the incident, stating that the killings were "wholly unjustified." According to witnesses interviewed by Human Rights Watch, Nigerian army soldiers fired on Shia Muslim members at three locations in Zaria.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Nigerian army's confrontation with Shia sect members in Zaria resulted in the killing of hundreds of people, which Human Rights Watch called "wholly unjustified."
  • A Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the government to investigate the incident should be sufficiently independent and impartial to hold those responsible to account.
  • Human Rights Watch interviewed 16 witnesses and five others, including local authorities, who provided evidence of the army's firing on Shia Muslim members.
  • The army claimed that Shia protesters appeared to be taking up positions near the back of the convoy of Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, the army chief of staff, but Human Rights Watch disputed this version, saying it was a "brutal overreaction" or "a planned attack on the minority Shia group."
  • The killings occurred from December 12 to 14, 2015, and Human Rights Watch has called for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident.

Statistics:

  • Hundreds of Shia Muslim members of the IMN were killed by Nigerian army soldiers in Zaria from December 12 to 14, 2015.
  • Human Rights Watch interviewed 21 witnesses, including 16 who witnessed the killings and five others, including local authorities.
  • The army claimed that protesters appeared to be taking up positions near the back of the convoy during the confrontation.

Sources:

  • Human Rights Watch, statement December 16, 2015
  • Daily Trust, "Human Rights Watch Condemns Army Attack on Shia in Zaria" December 16, 2015
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com), "Human Rights Watch Condemns Army Attack on Shia in Zaria" December 16, 2015