CISLAC,CIVIC organise 3rd legislative retreat on Institutionalisation of a legal framework towards protection of civilians and civilian harm mitigation in armed conflict.

 

By Patience Ogbo

Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre ( CISLAC) in collaboration with the Centre for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) have organized the 3rd edition of Legislative retreat on the institutionalisation of a legal framework towards protection of civilians and civilian harm mitigation in armed conflict.

The event which held in Lagos  provided members from the House of Representative in the security committee to discuss the  bill titled "Protection of Civilians Bill , 2020". 

Anwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani the acting Country Director of CISLAC  in his welcome address stated that the bill is long over due considering the plight of civilians who are directly bearing the brunt of conflicts in their communities. He added that the devastating effects of the conflicts have taken heavy toll on citizens and all hands must be on deck to mitigate civilians sufferings during conflicts by supporting the bill. 

In its explanatory memorandum, the bill seeks to regulate the conduct of security operations, protect the civilians and mitigate harms to the civilian population during armed conflicts in Nigeria he said.

House of Representative  Security committees members  present at the retreat include  house  committee on army ,  human rights,  the Navy, Finance,Justice among others.

 The Honourables   spent quality time debating the bill adding that the bill is long over -due. 

They include Honourables Saidu  Musa Abdullahi the deputy chairman house committee on Finance.Defence - Zayyad Ibrahim.Army - Abdur'Razzak Sa'ad Namdas, Navy -Wale Egberongbe  Air Force - Abass Agbowarin Adigun,Interior - Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong Udo,Nat. Sec.and  Intelligence - Hon. James Adisa Owolabi,Human Rights - Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye,Justice - Hon. Chinyere Igwe, Legislative Compliance - Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji.

House committee chairman on Army Hon. Abdur'razzak Namdas said " We have been expecting this kind of retreat in more than a decade as our citizens are wounded and have become victims on a  daily basis. Their properties constantly destroyed and land are prevented from being cultivated all in the name of tackling insecurity. The army in no means is overstretched and we need to use both kinetic and non kinetic methods to solve this problem. It is important that every security actor has a responsibility to protect and mitigate harms to civilians that will occur as a result of persons, activities , operations and I assure you that the committee on the Army is ready to give the necessary support , contribution towards the institutionalisation of the framework inline with the standing orders of the 9th Assembly of the 1999 constitution as well as International and humanitarian and human rights laws. We will take  the ownership of the proposed bill". 

Honourable Egberongbe Mufutau Adewale representing Apapa federal constituency, Lagos state and a member of the House committee on Navy said in order to tackle insecurity and other vices, there is the urgent need to focus on vocational education for the youth. 

" there is urgent need to review our school curriculum to focus on vocational education to have employers of labour. It is also important for government to provide the enabling environment for small businesses to thrive. The provision of incentives ,intelligence gathering mechanism, use of local chiefs and improving our security architecture. Social media should be looked into to stop instigating people and the military should have advocacy with the civilians. In addition, rule of engagement, training of civilians and soldiers on rule of engagement. There is need for devolution of power and practising true federalism". 

In his comment on the proposed bill, honourable Abbas Adigun the deputy chairman ,house committee on armed forces who represented the chairman said " Civilians are paying daily due to this conflict. If we have this bill, we will support it and punishment for perpetrators as there is a need to address and give succour to those who have lost family members and property". 

Honourable Prince  Rotimi , a member of the House committee on Human Rights said it is important to address the fundamental problem causing the conflict. " We need to ask ourselves, how did we get to this point we are in today? It was the laxcadicial attitude of past leaders. I'm telling you, if the Chibok girls were rescued immediately this situation will not be so. What is the strength of our army? The police and Air force? The army is overstretched and a situation where people who are supposed to be protecting us are being protected. In so there is need to uphold the rights of the protected and ensure no harm comes their way". 

Honourable  Saidu  Musa Abdullahi the deputy chairman House committee on Finance said " The bill is timely and coming a bit late. As we speak civilians are being kidnapped. The  bill will provide a legal framework for our foot soldiers and this is a welcome one. It is not all about having problems but having a way to incorporate non state actors to come in as a way to negotiate. There should be a way to mitigate the effects of conflicts on the civilians. I assure you , this bill will get the necessary support from the house committee on Finance ".

Honourable Chinyere Igwe member of the Justice committee said " For any bill to be justiable, for it to have effects of law, the Justice committee will necessary be an actor. So can dot the i's and cross the ts' so that it can go through the rudiments of the national Assembly. 

During the course of the session, CIVIC  presented a lecture on the "understanding of the evolution of Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: the legal framework, the reality and the legislative responsibility "  while session two focused on the review of the protection of Civilians bill.