This year, Nigeria received 12 “Super Tucano” Light Attack aircraft from the US government. The sale, which was initially held up due to human rights concerns, is the largest US foreign military sales program in Sub-Saharan Africa, valued at almost a half-billion dollars.Ĭommendably, your Congress has for now suspended a proposed $875 million sale of 12 AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters and other military hardware to Nigeria over human rights concerns. Those obligations extend to international partners who provide military cooperation and support to Nigeria, including the United States. ![]() But it has an equal international legal obligation to ensure that it does not violate human rights in the name of security. It also should bring the perpetrators of these abuses to justice. Nigeria has an obligation to protect civilians from abuses committed by groups like Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, known as ISWAP. I will make the case that the United States has a responsibility to mitigate the negative effects of this counterterrorism partnership. Human Rights Watch appreciates the Lantos Commission looking at this issue, given the significant influence of the United States on counterterrorism in Nigeria. These actions have harmed many of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens, who are already suffering through the horrors of 12 years of the Boko Haram conflict in the northeast region. ![]() I am here today to provide an overview of the impact on human rights of measures adopted by the Nigerian authorities in the fight against terrorism.
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