By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it requires steadfast commitment to human right principles to ensure that the civil space in Nigeria remains safe and to safeguard the rights of people to engage in a democratic process, especially in the face of emerging challenges.
The Chairperson, NHRC Governing Council, Her Excellency, Dr. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the second annual Civil Society Forum, as part of activities to mark the 75th anniversary of the UNHR.
Sundiata Post recalls that the theme of the event is: “Human Rights: Yesterday, Today and the Future”.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Salamatu stated that the government, Civil Society, media and indeed all citizens should synergise to create an environment where civic engagement is tolerated and actively encouraged and celebrated. Adding that we must also ensure that all voices, especially those from marginalised communities are heard and valued in our national discourse.
She emphasized that we should, (as we engage in the discussion and sharing of insights), “remember that the strength of our civil space is a measure of health of our democracy. It is a space that will be expanded and cherished, for it is here that seeds of progress, justice and human rights are sown and nurtured.”
“It is pursuant to section 6(g)(m) of the NHRC amendment Act 2010, the Commission is charged to laise and co-operate in such manner as considered appropriate with local and international organisation on human rights and also promote an understanding of public discussion of human right issues in Nigeria. In this regard, the NHRC has pivotal role to serve as the guidian of human rights, ensure accountability, promoting awareness and advocating for the expansion of the civic space.
Sundiata Post recalls that three things being celebrated in todays event are; Civil space and human rights, Social and economic rights in an age of economic reform and child protection.
However, the consensus of the panellists who took their turn to dissect the three issues highlighted above us that the challenges to the realisation of the UDHR goals in the past years are lack of political will and commitment by successive governments to enforce laws, weak institutions, lack of independent of the judiciary, abuse of human rights by law enforcement agencies
Similarly, the panellists also agreed that to realise the UDHR;
-That effective enforcement of the law is required to protect the civil space, human right should be at the centre stage of all our endeavours, institutions and agencies that deal with human rights should be strenghtened, training on human rights right down to the communities, human rights has to.be taken to the rural areas, child’s right must be implemented, institution should be created to protect human rights, rule of law must be respected, offenders must be punished to act as deterrent to others, INEC, NHRC etc should be given true autonomy and men who divorced their wives should be compelled to provide care for their children after divorcing wife among others.
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