An Assessment of Human Rights Abuses in Biu Township IDPs Camp

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1948 declared that human rights are universal and should be enjoyed by all people, no matter who they are or where they live. However, there are strong claims that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps are subjected to human rights abuses. This study investigated this claim in Biu Township IDP camp. Social Disorganization and Broken Windows Theories were adopted as the theoretical framework. A survey research design was used and 115 IDPs, male and female, aged 18 and above provided data via questionnaire for quantitative and in-depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data. Findings revealed there is very high level of human rights abuses (76 percent and above) in the camp. It is recommended that government and NGOs on human rights address abuses, monitor, and evaluate adherence to protection of human rights in the IDP camp periodically.