Plateau Killings: SERAP writes ICC

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has made a fervent appeal to Karim A. A. Khan, KC, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), urging immediate action regarding the escalating violence, unlawful killings, and numerous violations of international law in Plateau State, Nigeria.

According to reports, more than 190 individuals have lost their lives, with hundreds sustaining injuries, and many others reported missing in the midst of the turmoil. The Nigerian Red Cross has stated that a staggering 32,604 people have been affected by the ongoing crisis.

In a letter dated December 30, 2023, signed by SERAP’s deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization implored Prosecutor Khan to conduct a preliminary examination into the situation in Plateau State.

They called for an investigation or an extension of ongoing investigations to encompass the dire situation unfolding in the state.

Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, SERAP urged Khan to personally visit Plateau State, emphasizing the necessity of delivering substantial accountability and justice for the victims impacted by the attacks.

The organization highlighted that the ICC’s prompt intervention would not only provide assurance to the victims and their families but also ensure that effective remedies, including reparations, are made available.

SERAP’s petition stressed the gravity of the situation in Plateau State, citing a reasonable basis to believe that crimes falling under the jurisdiction of the ICC have been committed amid the ongoing violence.

They urged the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to issue a formal statement and initiate a preliminary examination into the matter.

The letter underscored the primary responsibility of Nigerian authorities to ensure accountability, justice, and reparations for the human rights crimes occurring within their jurisdiction.

However, it pointed out a perceived unwillingness or inability on the part of Nigerian authorities to effectively address these grave violations domestically.

Highlighting the ICC’s jurisdiction in cases where national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute such crimes, SERAP emphasized the pivotal role of the ICC in holding perpetrators accountable and providing redress to victims, ultimately deterring future atrocities.

The plea to Prosecutor Khan reiterated the importance of accountability in ending impunity-driven unlawful killings and other severe violations of international law.

SERAP emphasized the ICC’s critical role in preventing and combating these human rights crimes, especially considering Nigeria’s status as a state party to the Rome Statute.

The letter detailed the grim situation in Plateau State, with armed assailants targeting communities in various areas, resulting in numerous casualties, destruction of property, and mass displacement.