By Edith Nwapi
NIGERIA has for the fifth time earned a Grade “A” Status in implementation of international human rights standards at the national level.
The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Anthony Ojukwu, made this known on the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day organised by the commission.
The Human Rights Day is observed annually around the world on December 10.
Ojukwu said the commission has thoroughly and objectively investigated allegations of gross human rights violations in the country.
He said, this year’s theme: “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”, is a wakeup call, indicating that for the country to achieve or realise human rights, it must take deliberate steps to close the gaps in human rights protection now so that the future will be better.
Ojukwu stated that, the International Human Rights Day is not just an opportunity to remember and re-echo the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) .
He, therefore urged the Federal Government to ensure a speedy and effective implementation of the recommendations of the NHRC’s Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North East Nigeria (SIIP North – East).
This, he said, will help heal the wounds of human rights violations.
“Nigeria and the international community will not forget the landmark report of the panel.
“The special panel dismissed the allegations by Reuters, that the Nigerian Army was involved in a secret systematic and illegal abortion programme leading to the abortion of 10,000 pregnancies, massacre of children and other forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the course of its operations in the troubled region.
“The NHRC thoroughly and objectively investigated allegations of gross human rights violations in the country.
“The report of the defunct SARS Panel remains a reference point by human rights defenders given the crucial role the Commission’s report has played in ongoing police reforms.
“It is on record that the panel which submitted its reports to the federal government under the regime of former President Muhammad Buhari made far reaching recommendations on how to reform the Police including the establishment of State and Local Government Police,” he said.
He commended the federal government for providing the funds for the payment of the compensation, as recommended by the commission.
Ojukwu said the commission remains committed to going the extra mile to ensure that the country becomes a model and bastion of human rights protection worthy of the attention of other African nations and beyond.
In a message on the occasion, the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said Nigeria has made progress in promoting and protecting human rights.
He added that the federal government was working tirelessly to ensure that the rights of all Nigerians and every person living in Nigeria are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
Fagbemi said the federal government has taken concrete steps to strengthen the institutional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights.
“We are committed to ensuring that our laws, policies, and practices are aligned with international human rights standards. I assure all Nigerians that President Tinubu is a human rights friendly and listening government.
“The government has taken commendable steps in the interest of justice and human rights.
“This is the exhibited by 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 said. (NAN)
