The Nigerian authorities have didn’t prosecute a single officer from the infamous Particular Anti-Theft Squad (SARS), regardless of anti-torture laws handed in 2017 and proof that its members proceed to make use of torture and different ill-treatment to execute, punish and extract info from suspects, Amnesty Worldwide mentioned right now.
In a brand new report, Time to Finish Impunity, Amnesty Worldwide paperwork at the very least 82 circumstances of torture, sick remedy and extra-judicial execution by SARS between January 2017 and Might 2020. The victims of the police unit, set as much as battle violent crimes, are predominantly male between the ages of 18 and 35, from low-income backgrounds and susceptible teams.
Nigerians are outraged by the impunity with which SARS perpetrates horrific human rights violations
“The whole failure of Nigerian authorities to carry an finish to the gross human rights violations perpetuated by the Particular Anti-Theft Squad or to carry any SARS officer to justice is stunning and unacceptable. Nigerians are outraged by the systemic human rights violations perpetrated by the SARS with impunity,” mentioned Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty Worldwide Nigeria.
“The systemic use of torture and different sick remedy by SARS officers for police investigations and the continued existence of torture chambers inside the Nigerian Police Drive factors to an absolute disregard for worldwide human rights legal guidelines and requirements.”
Amnesty Worldwide’s investigation reveals a disturbing sample of abuse of detainees in SARS custody regardless of the 2017 Anti-Torture Act. In lots of circumstances, Amnesty Worldwide bore witness to the scars, bruises, and dried blood on victims’ our bodies. Lots of them have been subjected to beatings with sticks and machetes and denied medical care.
The findings of this report additionally present that these horrific violations have been carried out underneath the supervision of high-ranking law enforcement officials.
Pervasive torture and different ill-treatment
Torture and sick remedy stay routine follow throughout SARS’ day by day operations and at its detention centres.
One of many officers used an exhaust pipe to hit me on my tooth, breaking my tooth.
In March 2017, 23-year-old Miracle was arrested and detained by SARS officers in Neni, Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, accused of the theft of a laptop computer. He was tortured and given hardly any meals throughout the 40 days he was in detention earlier than he was charged and introduced earlier than a court docket.
“…their chief directed them to go and grasp me. They took me to the again of the corridor and tied me with ropes. Then they began utilizing all method of things to beat me, together with machetes, sticks, inflicting me with every kind of accidents. One of many officers used an exhaust pipe to hit me on my tooth, breaking my tooth. I used to be left on that hanger for greater than three hours…”
In October 2018, 24-year-old Sunday Bang, an newbie boxer was arrested in his house in Abuja, by SARS officers and accused of theft. He was held in detention for five weeks with out entry to household, attorneys or medical care – and was not charged in court docket. Whereas in SARS detention, he suffered bone fractures and different accidents attributable to torture and different sick remedy.
“No circumstances in anyway could also be invoked as a justification of torture. In lots of circumstances the victims are the poor and susceptible, straightforward targets for legislation enforcement officers whose accountability it’s to guard them,” mentioned Osai Ojigho.
From extortion to stealing cash and property
Throughout Nigeria, SARS officers have turned their responsibility to guard Nigerians into a chance for extortion and stealing cash, property and different valuables belonging to suspects and their households. Since 2016, Amnesty Worldwide has documented 15 circumstances the place SARS officers arbitrarily confiscated suspects’ property.
Younger folks between the ages of 17 and 30 are most liable to arrest, torture or extortion by SARS. They’re usually accused of being web fraudsters and/or armed robbers. Younger males with dreadlocks, ripped denims, tattoos, flashy vehicles or costly devices are ceaselessly focused by SARS.
The Nigerian authorities should transcend lip service and guarantee there may be actual reform
Typically these younger males are unlawfully arrested in raids on tv viewing centres, bars and leisure centres. They’re held in detention and compelled to pay large bribes to safe their launch. These unable to pay are subjected to torture or different ill-treatment.
Impunity
Amnesty Worldwide’s analysis reveals that no SARS officer has been held accountable for human rights violations documented on this report. The group on three events wrote to the Inspector Common of Police asking for steps the police might have taken in investigating the circumstances outlined within the report however there was no response.
Many victims of SARS violations face obstacles and, in some circumstances, concerted opposition from the police authorities whereas looking for justice, together with threats to their lives.
Regardless of repeated guarantees by successive governments to reform the Nigerian Police Drive and the “fast overhauling of the Particular Anti-Theft Squad” introduced by the Inspector Common of Police on 14 August 2018, gross human proper violations, inefficiency and disrespect for human rights stays widespread inside the power.
“Impunity sends the message to torturers that they are going to get away with it. Impunity denies victims and their family the precise to have the reality established, the precise to see justice served and the precise to reparations,” mentioned Osai Ojigho.
“The Nigerian authorities should transcend lip service to make sure there may be actual reform inside the Nigeria Police Drive with an emphasis on SARS. These reforms should translate into holding law enforcement officials suspected of torture to account, ending torture, illegal detention, extortion, extrajudicial execution and different human rights violations that SARS officers have been identified for throughout Nigeria.”
BACKGROUND
In September 2016, an Amnesty Worldwide report, ‘You have signed your death warrant’ : Torture and other ill-treatment in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad highlighted gross violations by SARS together with torture and different types of ill-treatment. The report prompted assurances from the Nigerian authorities that SARS can be reformed, but stunning violations dedicated by the unit have continued.
Supply: www.amnesty.org
