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Universal Periodic Review 31: Nigeria

The UK welcomed Nigeria’s adoption of measures to hold security forces accountable for human rights abuses, but expressed concern regarding the lack of prosecutions.

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Thank you Mr Vice President.

The UK welcomes Nigeria’s public commitment to human rights, the civil-military dialogue and the adoption of measures to hold security forces accountable for human rights violations. But we are concerned that, despite several investigations, there have been no prosecutions.

We are concerned that Nigeria remains a source, transit and destination country for trafficking in persons and that the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill is still not enacted.

We recommend that Nigeria:

1) Obeys court orders for the release of Ibrahim and Zeenat El Zakzaky and holds accountable the perpetrators of the killing of 347 Islamic Movement Nigeria members.

2) Strengthens engagement between Federal Agencies and State Governments to ensure greater coordination on issues of human trafficking and modern slavery.

3) Addresses discrimination against minority and vulnerable groups by taking action to discourage politicians from using religious, ethnic or settler-indigeneous divisions for political ends.

Thank you Mr Vice President.

Published 6 November 2018