Abuja- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Tuesday, said it was collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the protection of human rights in the 2015 general elections.
The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, on the sideline of a training workshop NHRC organised for its staff.
Angwe, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Network of National Human Rights Institutions (NNHRI) in West Africa, Mr Saka Azimazi, said the workshop was aimed at training staff of NNHRI toward Monitoring, Investigation and Documentation of rights cases in the forthcoming elections.
He said “our view is that the right to make a choice is a human right issue because the right to participate in government starts from being able to vote and be voted for.
“Accountability should be a key issue in the discussion, as well as the necessity for political parties to abide by the electoral rules.
“So, the Commission is liaising with INEC to ensure that there are peaceful elections and for people to have free atmosphere to exercise their voting rights.
“We have had some assurances from INEC and we have no reason to doubt the assurances,” he added.
The NHRC boss, however, expressed concern over previous violations of human rights during elections, saying the culprits had not been prosecuted.
He added that the absence of internal democracy within political parties posed danger to the success of the forthcoming general elections.
“The absence of internal democracy within the parties portends trouble, so it is important that parties regulate their affairs.
“If that is not taken care of, then it portends serious danger ahead.’’
He, however, expressed NHRC’s commitment to find solution to the human rights problems in the country.
He said that “practically, we are of the view that the elections should hold peacefully and all challenges resolved amicably.’’
Angwe said the Commission would deploy its staff to monitor elections in all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). (NAN)
