IMMIGRATION RECRUITMENT DEATHS: SERAP reports Nigeria to UN calls investigation, adequate compensation

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NIS

A group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, requesting him to refer the unlawful deaths and inhuman and degrading treatment of job-seekers by the Nigerian government to appropriate UN human rights bodies.

This is as President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday summoned the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), David Paradang, to explain what went wrong at the exercise.

Over eighteen applicants died in states across the country, with many others injured during the stampede recorded at the venues of the recruitment exercise.

In a statement by SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, he stated:
“We believe this is important to achieve international accountability of Nigeria for the violations of the human rights of the job-seekers. By doing this, the Secretary-General will be upholding the values and moral authority of the United Nations and sending a powerful message that the UN will not tolerate fragrant violations of human rights of Nigerians.”

In the petition dated March 17, 2014, the organisation said that “millions of Nigerian children and university graduates continue to be denied the right to work unfairly. Yet, work is important for personal development as well as for social and economic inclusion.”

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“The unlawful deaths and inhuman and degrading treatment of the job-seekers constitute violations of their rights to life, dignity and work. The case also shows the growing level of economic injustice caused by pervasive corruption and lack of opportunities for Nigerian children to enjoy the right to employment and to gain a living by work, as guaranteed by international and regional human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.

“The Nigerian government in violation of international law has failed and neglected to establish conditions for full employment of Nigerian children and university graduates. This situation is not natural and not beyond the control of the government but is caused by high level of official corruption, mismanagement and contempt for the rights of the citizens.