THE INTERVENTION OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE NIGER-DELTA REGION: A STUDY OF RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA (1990 – 2011)

THE INTERVENTION OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE NIGER-DELTA REGION: A STUDY OF RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA (1990 – 2011)

Abstract:

Rivers State cum Niger-Delta region is one spot across the globe that Amnesty International has identified to be contending with high degree of human rights challenges, despite several attempts made by successive government and other stakeholders to redress it. The main culprits alleged to be involved in violating human rights are the oil companies, the state security agencies and the oil bearing communities (OBCs). In an attempt to curtail the scourge of human rights violations, Amnesty International have consistently exposed those violations and pressurized the identifiable aforementioned perpetrators to take necessary step to redress it. The research therefore is geared to study how Amnesty International (AI) intervention activities has influence human rights violations in the Niger-Delta region and how it has become a force to be reckoned in de-escalation of crisis as well as in the advocacy of universalization of human rights norms. The research is grounded on international relations theory of liberalism, which recognizes the multiplicity of actors (i.e. human rights non-governmental organizations, multinational/transnational corporations (MNCs/TNCs, pressure groups/militants) pursuing varying degree of agenda in Rivers State and Niger-Delta region in general, beyond State and/or intergovernmental institutions that were exclusively articulated and emphasized by International Relations theories of Realism and Idealism. The research is empirical because it involves field work and the use of both primary and secondary method of data collation. In this regard, written questionnaires, face to face interviews, focus group discussions, telephone interviewing were the specific tools deployed to get first hand (i.e. primary source) information. Whilst, text books, journals, internet services, news papers, magazines, were the other sources utilized by the researcher to secured information that constituted secondary source. Also, the study uses Krejcie and Morgam formulae to determine the quantum of structured interview/questionnaires administered on our various populations sample sizes using ‗systematic random sampling techniques‘. Other sampling technique used in aspect of conducting semi-structured interviews includes ‗simple random sampling techniques‘. In terms of data analysis, the study employed qualitative method of data analyses to interpret the data generated from the interviews and focus group discussions conducted. Quantitative method of data analysis was equally used to generate some numeric values from our structured questionnaires which give meaning that facilitated easy interpretation of events. At the end, the study revealed Amnesty International is truly an independent non-governmental organization with clear vision and motive of fighting to avert human rights violations and by extension de-escalating conflict in Rivers State and Niger-Delta region in general. The research eventually ended with some recommendations, among which include, the Rivers State and the Federal Government of Nigeria should intensify its watch on the oil companies and militants/pressure groups to get them avert the menace of pipe lines corrosion and vandalism, killings, kidnappings, oil spills, oil theft and host of other outrageous activities that are adjudged to be detrimental to dignified living of human race and amounted human rights violations. The government should enact stringent and enforceable legislations in line with universally acceptable best standard in oil industry and iii ensure that oil companies/MNOCs under its domain comply. The Federal Government should ensure that the 13% derivation and ecological funds are felt by the communities; measures should be put in place to carry the people in the Niger-Delta region alone in determining the scope and cause of pollution havoc done to them by oil companies for the purposes of determining payment of compensations to be given to them. It is only by so doing the people of the Niger-Delta region will have a sense of belonging, identity and fulfillment as well as peace be restored in the region.

THE INTERVENTION OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE NIGER-DELTA REGION: A STUDY OF RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA (1990 – 2011)

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