Memory of Human Rights Violations during the Nigeria-Biafra War and the Imperative for Transitional Justice in Nigeria

Nathaniel Umukoro, Edo University Iyamho

Abstract

Human rights violations during the Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970) have elicited interests from scholars and international agencies. Although these studies provide significant insights into the nature of human rights violations during this period, the issue of transitional justice has not been adequately considered. Consequently, this paper examines the memory of human rights violations during the war, attempts made in the area of transitional justice and the imperative for a holistic transitional justice system. The paper begins with the conceptualization of human rights violation and transitional justice. It then makes a historical contextualization of human rights violations during the war and the sustained memory of such violations especially by the Igbos of Eastern Nigeria. Data for the study were from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were sourced through key informant interviews with men and women who were victims and some perpetrators of human rights violations during the war. The key argument of the paper is that there is a sustained memory of human rights violations during the war and efforts towards ensuring sustainable peace and unity in Nigeria have not been associated with effective transitional justice system. The only major attempt (Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission popularly known as Oputa Panel) failed to yield the desired result. Since transitional justice is a requirement for sustainable peace after periods of gross human rights violations and violent conflict, there should be an effective transitional justice mechanisms put in place to promote reconciliation and provide redress for victims.

 
Oct 3rd, 11:00 AM Oct 3rd, 12:30 PM

Memory of Human Rights Violations during the Nigeria-Biafra War and the Imperative for Transitional Justice in Nigeria

Rethinking Transitional Justice

Human rights violations during the Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970) have elicited interests from scholars and international agencies. Although these studies provide significant insights into the nature of human rights violations during this period, the issue of transitional justice has not been adequately considered. Consequently, this paper examines the memory of human rights violations during the war, attempts made in the area of transitional justice and the imperative for a holistic transitional justice system. The paper begins with the conceptualization of human rights violation and transitional justice. It then makes a historical contextualization of human rights violations during the war and the sustained memory of such violations especially by the Igbos of Eastern Nigeria. Data for the study were from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were sourced through key informant interviews with men and women who were victims and some perpetrators of human rights violations during the war. The key argument of the paper is that there is a sustained memory of human rights violations during the war and efforts towards ensuring sustainable peace and unity in Nigeria have not been associated with effective transitional justice system. The only major attempt (Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission popularly known as Oputa Panel) failed to yield the desired result. Since transitional justice is a requirement for sustainable peace after periods of gross human rights violations and violent conflict, there should be an effective transitional justice mechanisms put in place to promote reconciliation and provide redress for victims.