VI. Recommendations

Human Rights Watch recommends these investigative bodies to:

Arbitrary Killings

• Thoroughly and impartially investigate the credible allegations of arbitrary killings by security forces on November 28-29, 2008. Identify the individuals and units who carried out the killings as well as superior officers who may have planned, ordered, or instigated these crimes.
• Determine the circumstances and consequences of the "shoot-on-sight" order given to security personnel by Governor Jonah Jang on November 29, 2008.
• Ensure that victims and witnesses who testify before these respective investigative bodies are provided proper witness protection in cases where the witness may be in danger. Protective measures include holding closed sessions where warranted and expunging names and any identifying information from the investigative bodies' public records.
• Call on government authorities to promptly arrest and prosecute those responsible for organizing and carrying out the killings and destruction of property, including members of the security forces.
• Ensure that the findings and recommendations of these respective investigative bodies are made public.

Government Discrimination against "Non-Indigenes"

Human Rights Watch also urges these investigative bodies to address the root causes of inter-communal violence in Plateau State, including by calling on the federal government to end the nationwide practice of discriminating against non-indigenes. They should:

• Call on the federal government to promptly pass legislation that expressly bars any federal, state, or local government institution from discriminating against non-indigenes with respect to any matter not directly related to traditional leadership institutions or other purely cultural matters.

• Urge the federal government to conduct a broad public education campaign throughout Nigeria focused on the rights that go with Nigerian citizenship and the need to end discrimination against non-indigenes.