[JURIST] The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), Cecilia Jimenez-Damary [official profile] on Thursday sharply condemned [press release] bombings in Nigeria as a means of counter insurgency against Boko Haram. The bombings struck a camp housing IDPs, and initial reports from the government indicated that as many as 50 people had been killed and 200 injured as a result of this “operational mistake.” Jimenez-Damary stressed that the safety of those internally displaced must be “guaranteed” and emphasized the importance of them receiving lifesaving care and access to clean water and resources immediately. She concluded by calling on the Nigerian government to better protect those displaced and expressing sadness at the loss of life.

Boko Haram means “Western education is a sin,” and the militant Islamic organization is known for its kidnappings and killings. Boko Haram attacks [JURIST report] have occurred in crowded public places and have increased since it lost much of the territory it overtook from 2014 through early 2016. In April the UN urged [JURIST report] the Nigerian government to escalate efforts to locate and rescue people abducted by Boko Haram. In February UN human rights advocates asked [JURIST report] the Nigerian government to guarantee the safety of areas liberated from Boko Haram through military maneuvers.