Netsanet Belay, Amnesty
International’s research and advocacy director, says investigating the crimes
committed against humanity during the conflict between Boko Haram insurgents
and security forces is “now inevitable”.
Belay was reacting to the 2019
reports on preliminary examination carried out by the International Criminal
Court Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) on countries where crimes may have been
committed to decide whether to open an investigation or not.
He said Nigeria had shown that it
is unwilling to prosecute those involved in the crimes against humanity
perpetrated during the conflict.
“An ICC investigation into war
crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict in north-east,
Nigeria, is now inevitable. The prosecutor has confirmed yet again that the
Nigerian government is not taking steps to deliver justice,” she said.
“The prosecutor has also
confirmed that she will make a final decision in 2020 on whether to proceed to
investigate specific crimes. Should Nigerian authorities fail to demonstrate
tangible steps to fulfil their obligations, she will be bound to proceed
towards a full investigation.
“Victims have been waiting for
justice for over 10 years. Nigeria has already demonstrated that it is not
willing to investigate and prosecute those responsible for heinous crimes
committed by all parties to the conflict in the north-east.
“The ICC should have already
launched an investigation but there can be no doubt that the time will come in
2020 for the ICC to step up to its role as the court of last resort.
“States parties to the Rome
Statue must step up to provide the necessary resources to the Court and
reiterate cooperation with the Office of the Prosecutor to enable such an
investigation into the situation in Nigeria.”
In 2010, the ICC had opened a
preliminary examination into the conflict between the insurgents and the
Nigerian security agents.
In December 2018, the AI released
a report on the violations of international humanitarian law and human rights
law allegedly committed on both sides.
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