UN Rights Office tasks Nigeria on ethnic, religious violence -  The Geneva-based UN Human Rights Office on Friday called on Nigerian authorities to address the renewed ethnic and religious violence in the country, including by curbing the hate speech and encouraging reconciliation among various communities.

'We are concerned about the renewed violence, which has flared up in Nigeria’s ‘Middle Belt’ in recent weeks causing death, injury and destruction,” Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement.

The statement, which was made available to PANA in New York, stated that, 'up to 70 people have reportedly been killed since the beginning of August in ethnic and religious violence in the area'.

It said: 'This includes the killing of 10 people in clashes between Christian and Muslim youths and the military in Jos from early to mid-August. At least two more were hacked to death, and four others seriously wounded in a village near Jos'.

Colville also said that, 'we encourage the authorities at national and local levels to take effective preventative measures against such violence, including by curbing hate-speech and working with civil society, including human rights NGOs, religious leaders and academic institutions, to attempt reconciliation between the various communities'.

'It is of utmost importance that justice is done and is seen to be done by prosecuting the alleged perpetrators of violence and ensuring remedies for victims and their families,” he added.

In addition, the spokesperson stressed that, 'security forces must act in full compliance with the law, in an even-handed manner, when responding to outbreaks of violence in the country to avoid making the situation worse'.

He further expressed concern about the activities of the extremist Islamist group known as Boko Haram, which has claimed responsibility for the recent bombing of the UN offices in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Pana 10/09/2011