A Human Rights Agenda for Candidates in Nigeria’s 2011 Elections

On April 2, 9, and 16, 2011, Nigerians will head to the polls for the nation's legislative, presidential, and gubernatorial elections. Those elected will be mandated to govern a country with profound human rights challenges: communal violence, abuses by government security forces, endemic corruption, violence in the Niger Delta, pervasive election-related abuses, and a culture of impunity for all manner of human rights violations. This briefing paper outlines the key issues that candidates should address as they campaign for office-and implement if they are elected.