Rights Commission launches project to enhance civil/military relations

THE National Human Rights Commission has launched a road map that will enhance civil-military relations in Nigeria.

The roadmap was developed by the National Human Rights Commission in collaboration with the Centre for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria (CLEEN), Foundation and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Acting Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mrs Oti Ovrawa, said in Abuja that the project was designed to strengthen civil-military relations by fostering sustained dialogue and improved accountability, security, national cohesion and respect for human rights across the country.

Ovrawah said the the roadmap,  tagged, Civil-Military Relationship (CMR) addresses certain challenges and gaps in civil-military relations and lays a good foundation for a sustained synergy and understanding between the military and the civil population.

She said the roadmap entailed a reciprocal relation between the civil authorities and military authorities for better accountability, security and respect for human rights in Nigeria.

She observed that there had been significant departure from the old norm, where the civil populace viewed the military with suspicion as the Nigerian military had continued to make efforts to observe and respect human rights in its operations and interaction with the civil populace.

“This is evidence in the willingness of the military in having open dialogue with civil authorities on issues, particularly, on respect for human rights and accountability. Phase II of the project intends to develop and build upon the existing robust civil-military relations in the country”, she said.

She commended the military for the establishment of human rights desks in the Army and department of civil-military affairs across all the services and the department of civil-military cooperation at the Defense Headquarters, to investigate all alleged cases of human rights abuses and violations received from individuals, organisations and institutions against members of the Nigerian military.

Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Dr. Benson Olugbuo applauded the Nigerian military for gradually winning the war against the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents.

He said the taking over of the Sambisa forest, which was the strong hold of the insurgents by the military was a sign that the military is making headway in the fight against the Boko Haram, just as he urged them not to relent effort in ensuring security of lives and property in the country.