The National Human Rights Commission NHRC was on Thursday 19th October 2023 elected a member of the Governing Board of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) based in Geneva Switzerland to represent the African region at the Board.
The elections took place at the 14th Biennial Conference of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) which held in Accra Ghana from the 16-20 Oct 2023.
The GANHRI Bureau is the highest organ for the coordination of National Human Rights Institutions worldwide.
The NHRC has also been elected to the GANHRI working groups on Ageing and Business and Human Rights (BHR).These are in recognition of the giant strides recorded by Nigeria in the areas of protection of the rights of older persons and mainstreaming human rights in businesses.
It will be recalled that Nigeria has established the senior citizens center to enhance improvement of the lives of older people. Again the Federal Executive Council recently approved the National Action Plan on Human Rights and Business which makes Nigeria one of the three countries that have developed such plan in Africa.
Reacting to these developments, Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu said Nigeria’s election to these prestigious positions reflects the country’s positive standing on the international human rights stage and underscores its commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights, both at home and abroad.
Dr. Ojukwu further said GANHRI is the legitimate and authentic Network of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from around the world, established pursuant to UN General Assembly Resolution 48/134 of 20th December 1993 on the Paris Principles for the promotion and protection human rights. “It serves as a legitimate and crucial platform for cooperation, information exchange, and advocacy, making Nigeria’s inclusion in the GANHRI Bureau and Working Groups significant achievements ”.
Still recounting Nigeria’s giant strides, the Human Rights Boss said Nigeria had also been elected as a member of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions Working Group on Migration (NANHRI Working Group on Migration).
According to him, this underscored Nigeria’s active role in addressing the pressing human rights issues related to migration, which has become an area of increasing concern globally.
The Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria used this medium to commend the dedication and commitment of the Nigerian government, as well as the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, that made these achievements possible.
He added that these accomplishments were a testament to the tireless efforts of the NHRC and the Nigerian government in general, they highlight the nation’s strong resolve to uphold the principles of human rights and foster cooperation in addressing critical global issues.
“The NHRC looks forward to the invaluable contributions that Nigeria will make within the GANHRI Bureau, Working Groups, and NANHRI Working Group on Migration, and is confident that these roles will strengthen Nigeria’s position as a champion of human rights”NHRC Boss said.
