PROTECTION OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS' RIGHTS IN NIGERIA: AN EXAMINATION OF NIGERIA'S NATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORKS AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAWS

Abstract

Internal displacement is a global issue requiring concerted efforts. The rise of internal displacement is fuelled by both natural disasters and man-made factors. There are sufficient available international laws to protect the rights of displaced persons. However, the problem of enforcement and domestication has deterred their effectiveness. This paper employs the doctrinal research methodology to analyse laws protecting IDPs in Nigeria and under the international laws. It highlights the statistics of internal displacement in Nigeria, the unbearable living conditions of IDPs demanding government's attention. The study examines the current legal regime and policy frameworks under the international laws. It finds that there are laws protecting IDPs but those laws continue to face lack implementation, non-binding and unenforceability due to lack of domestication in Nigeria. Additionally, it finds that Nigeria only has national policy on IDPs' rights that has not covered some aspect of their rights under the international laws. To this end, the study recommends the need to domesticate the international laws with effective implementation in order safeguarding the rights of IDPs in Nigeria.