Human Rights Violations in Countering Terrorism: A Qualitative Study of Victims’ Experiences in Nigeria

• In Event: Understanding and Preventing Crimes Against Targeted or Vulnerable Groups

Abstract

This study explores the complex nature of human rights violations in the context of countering terrorism in Nigeria. Consequent to the threat of terrorism, the Nigeria government has enforced several measures in order to provide national security and save its citizens from terrorists’ attacks. The implementation of these counterterrorism strategies has evidently constituted human rights abuses. Utilizing detailed review of scholarly literature, legislations, media reports, United Nations’ provisions, non-governmental human rights organizations’ findings and primary qualitative data analysis, this study examined the complicated human rights violations that occurred in government’s counterterrorism framework.
Study interviewed 24 victims of human rights abuses in the context of counterterrorism in Nigeria to understand their experiences with Nigeria security operatives. Participants were displaced terrorist victims residing in various Internally Displaced Person’s camps in Borno state, Nigeria and a nearby Cameroonian refugee camp. Result indicated various dimensions of human rights abuses ranging from physical, psychological, sexual and economic exploitations with torture as the prevalent abuse pattern. The study emphasized the importance of developing more balanced approaches that support human rights and security. The implications for this study require that the international community emphasizes counterterrorism approaches that support civil liberties and due process.

Authors

• Ifeoma Okoye, Virginia State University

• Festus Obi, East Texas Baptist University