President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to use his “good offices and leadership to urgently intervene to stop the threat of forced eviction of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in WASU IDP camp in Apo District of Abuja or any other camps across the country.”
In a letter dated 7 August 2015 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organisation stated that “serious concern that several internally displaced persons (IDPs) in WASU IDP camp in Apo District of Abuja face forced eviction, following an eviction notice by the owner of the estate they had taken refuge. We are concerned that unless you urgently intervene, the IDPs involved may be rendered homeless and destitute and left without water, food or other critical assistance.”
“Any permanent or temporary removal of individuals, families, or communities against their will from the homes or land they occupy without providing access to appropriate legal or other protection is forced eviction and therefore unlawful including under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to which Nigeria is a state party,” the organisation said.
The organisation then urged the President to urgently intervene in this matter to ensure that the threat of forced eviction of the IDPs is not carried out by the landlord. “In addition, we urge the President to address as a matter of priority the miserable and unsafe living conditions for Nigeria’s thousands of IDPs across the country and to ensure that all IDPs are provided much-needed water and sanitation and allowed to leave in dignity without continuing threat of them being rendered homeless and destitute.
The organisation “notes that Nigeria ratified the African Union’s Kampala Convention on the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons on 17 April 2012. Nigeria …Read More
Source:: PM Newspaper
