Group Push For Investigations Into Forced Abortions In N/East

A group of feminists in Nigeria  issued a statement yesterday; calling on the Federal Government to investigate the violaters of human rights against women and children in the north east.

The statement was signed by the following Nigerian feminists:Chioma Agwuegbo, Fadekemi Akinfaderin,Dr Leena Koni Hoffmann,Ifeoma Ikwueme,Azeenarh Mohammed,Nana Nwachukwu,Lola Okolosie,

Omolara Oriye and Buky Williams and made available to LEADERSHIP in Abuja

The statement reads in batches “Makes public the investigation findings and recommendations in their entirety.

Ensures there are no reprisals against survivors and witnesses of these human rights violations against women and children for speaking out and respects their continued anonymity.

“Works with existing service providers who support women associated with Boko Haram to extend comprehensive services to those subjected to forced abortions.

Recommends measures that ensure accountability for those who ordered these human rights violations against women and children, those responsible for perpetrating them, and their commanders who knew what was happening but did nothing.

Speaking further, “We demand that the Federal Government and the Nigerian military:

Bring forced abortions and killings of children by security forces to an immediate end.

“Set out a plan for implementation of the recommendations made by the National Human Rights Commission, including for accountability, and make this plan public.

“Adopt a civilian centric approach that: 1) ends all human rights violations and ensures accountability for perpetrators; 2) tracks and mitigates civilian harm during operations; and 3) engages meaningfully with civilians – including with women, youth, people with disabilities and others normally socially excluded – in security decision making

“Decriminalise abortion fully so women can choose whether or not they wish to continue pregnancy or, at the very least, expand the grounds for termination of pregnancy to include cases of rape and incest to strengthen the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.