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UN Human Rights chief "appalled" by Nigeria massacre
UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay is urging the Nigerian authorities to tackle the underlying causes of tension and violence which resulted in the killings of hundreds of people this weekend.
The call comes in a statement on Tuesday in which Ms. Pillay says she was appalled by the massacre in the region around the town of Jos, in the north of the country.
According to reports, as many as 500 villagers were killed in this latest outbreak of violence between indigenous Christian and migrant Muslim communities who are vying for control of land and resources.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights notes that the Nigerian authorities have made efforts to implement a comprehensive security strategy. But she points out that what is most needed is "a concerted effort to tackle the underlying causes of repeated ethnic and religious violence in the country namely discrimination, poverty and disputes over land."
Ms. Pillay also stresses the importance of ensuring that those responsible for the killings are brought to justice, while at the same time avoiding stimulating new resentments.
Dianne Penn, UN Radio.
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