ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – As the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) commemorates the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) otherwise known as International Human Rights Day, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN, has charged the Government, Media, Civil Society Organisations and human rights defenders to mainstream the protection of human rights in all they do because without human rights, we are nothing.
Ojukwu gave the charge on Tuesday while addressing the journalists at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.
Recall that the theme of this year’s event is: “Our Rights, Our Future, Right now”.
Earlier in his welcome address Ojukwu said that this year’s theme is a wakeup call indicating that for us to achieve or realise our human rights, we must take deliberate steps to close the gaps in human rights protection now so that our future will be better. This is the only way to advance human rights and sicial justice, he added.
According to him, the International Human Rights Day is not just an opportunity to remember and re-echo the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which came on board 76 years ago but also a time to take stock on our level of compliance to this important human rights instrument with a view to ensuring that State Obligations are met and Citizens rights are respected. It also a call to action, tasking the duty bearers not to renege on their Constitutional responsibilities but rather to confront the gaps and obstacles that continue to hinder the full realization of these rights.
Highlighting the achievements of the Commission, the NHRC Scribe said the Commission successfully collaborated with other human rights defenders in carrying out various human rights programmes which set the tone for today’s commemoration, stressing that
the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign has gained traction in the 36 States of the Federation raising more awareness about gender-based violence, promoting gender equality, and advocating for policy and legislative reforms to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
He stated that the NHRC ramains committed to going the extra mile to ensure that our dear country becomes a model and bastion of human rights protection worthy of the attention of other African nations and beyond. Ojukwu reminded that the Commission has for the 5th time earned Grade “A” Status, awarded by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
The Executive Secretary further hinted that to ease human rights monitoring and reporting while addressing emerging issues head on, the Commission has since January this year established a monthly Dashboard on Human Rights which collates complaints of human rights vioations in the 36 State and the FCT. This has graphically segmented issues of human rights violations in the various thematic areas, making it possible for the stakeholders to know trending violations and collectively tackle them as quick as possible rather than waiting for them to fester, get more complicated and cause more harm to the society.
“It is also to the credit of the Commission and other stakeholders that Nigeria now has a comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights. This document is an inclusive instrument, serving as a roadmap to human rights protection including in the workplaces and business environment,’ he added.
Ojukwu thanked the partners – the United Nations and it agencies including the OHCHR, UNODC, UNDP, UNICEF, as well as Ford Foundation, the EU and Rule of Law and Anti Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, for their support to the NHRC.
On his part, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, who acknowledged the significant progress Nigeria has made in promoting and protecting human rights, however said that there are still challenges to be addressed.
He also said Nigerians should recommit to working tirelessly to ensure that the rights of all Nigerians and every person living in Nigeria are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
In this regard, he said, “the Federal Government has taken concrete steps to strengthen the institutional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights. These include the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, the passage of the Anti-Torture Act, the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act and the ratification of several international human rights treaties. In May this year, the President approved and gazetted that the National Human Rights Commission be designated as the National Preventive Mechanism of Nigeria (NPM) in fulfillment of Nigeria’s international obligation under the optional protocol to the UN convention against torture.
Fagbemi further stated that government is committed to ensuring that our laws, policies, and practices are aligned with international human rights standards. He assured all Nigerians that the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a human rights friendly and listening government.
He continued: “Amongst other commendable steps taken by this government in the interest of justice and human rights is the discontinuation of the prosecution of children and young person arraigned in court for treason following the End bad governance protests of august and October 2024. We will continue to work with relevant stakeholders including civil society organizations, the private sector, etc, to promote a culture of respect for human rights in Nigeria.”
Fagbemi called on all Nigerians to join the government in this noble endeavour to create a society where every individual can live free from fear, stigma, and persecution. “Let us promote a culture of respect, tolerance, and inclusivity, where every person’s rights are valued and protected,” he added.
