The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has inaugurated a State Project Advisory Committee (SPAC) for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation as part of its efforts to achieve a long-lasting reconciliation and a deep sense of justice in communities that have been ravaged by insurgency.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN) during the inauguration of the SPAC in Maiduguri the Borno state capital stated that Commission has since 2021 embarked on a project on promoting reconciliation, reintegration and transitional justice in the three North-Eastern States most affected by insurgency in the region namely; Adamawa. Borno and Yobe.
He said the project with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and European Union (EU) is to address the decade long wounds, grievances and the lust for revenge in the communities that have suffered from insurgency and counter insurgency operations in the region.
According to the Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria, “we remain convinced that reconciliation is far cheaper to both the victim and the society than judicial process. Truth telling and forgiveness if pursued with social justice has far more psychological and emotional gains than prosecutorial success which leaves victims exhausted and empty”.
Speaking further, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria stated that the Commission was deeply inspired by the willingness and passion of members of the communities to embrace peace and reconciliation, and he assured them that they will not be disappointed with the entire process.
The NHRC Boss said the objectives of the SPAC are as follows: (i) to mobilize political and institutional support and resources for the effective implementation of the project, (ii) to facilitate partnership and cooperation with relevant stakeholders for the achievement of the objectives of the project, and (iii) to provide thought leadership and contribute to overall pragmatic direction for the project outcomes.
During the inauguration, the Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna who is also the Project Coordinator, said there was a need to engage stakeholders on transitional justice as a means of securing community cohesion and reconciliation.
He said membership of the SPAC is drawn from Government Institutions charged with humanitarian response, UN agencies, civil society organizations working in the field of human rights and humanitarian response and traditional and religious institutions.
He stated further that the SPAC will be conceived under the leadership of the Borno State Government and chaired by the Ministry of Justice, with co-chairmen drawn from the traditional institution and other sectors as may be needed to advance its mandate.
According to him, the National Human Rights Commission shall be the standing secretariat of the Committee. The Commission in consultation with the State Government and project partners may extend or modify the terms of reference and mandate of the Committee to continue to function in other capacities at the end of the project, he added.
While pledging their commitment to providing leadership and partnership for the project to succeed, the SPAC members also expressed willingness to continue with their tasks to ensure that lasting peace returns to the region.
