UN Intervenes for the Condemned Soldiers in Nigeria

 

Mutiny Court

 

UN takes steps to averting the impending execution of 54 Nigerian Soldiers on death row.

“Appropriate actions, including communication to the government of President Goodluck Jonathan is being considered regarding the imminent execution of 54 soldiers in Nigeria,” the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Arbitrary or Summary Executions, Mr. Christof Heyns said.

This is a reaction to the petition by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, in December 2014. SERAP in the petition called on the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Arbitrary or Summary Executions to intervene in the case; arguing that it is neither right nor fair to send anyone to the gallows out of a mass trial.

SERAP invited the World Body’s five human rights agencies to use their “good offices and positions to urgently request the Nigerian government and its military authorities not to carry out the mass death sentences imposed on 54 Nigerian soldiers for what the government claimed was disobeying a direct order from their commanding officer.”

The development was disclosed by SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, in a statement, yesterday.

He said: “SERAP has been in discussion with Johel Dominique at the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Arbitrary or Summary Executions both on the telephone and via email. Johel Dominique has confirmed that the Special Rapporteur is considering appropriate action to avert the imminent execution of 54 soldiers on death row in the country.

“We have also confirmed to the Special Rapporteur that SERAP has the consent of Mr Femi Falana, SAN, the legal counsel to the 54 soldiers to file the petition."

“SERAP welcomes the decision by Mr. Christof Heyns to intervene in the matter. Given his longstanding human rights commitment and achievements, we have absolutely no doubt that Mr Heyns will work assiduously to ensure that justice is done in this matter and we wish him well as he strives to do that.”

The soldiers were sentenced to death for mutiny after they refused a “dangerous” operation against the Boko Haram terrorist group in the North-East zone of Nigeria.

The masses are divided on whether these soldiers should be executed or not. On the side of the soldiers are people who claimed that the soldiers’ refusal of command due to ill-equipment is justifiable. That going after the heavily armed terrorists with poor arms and ammunition is a suicide mission.