Ahead of the 2022 International Human Rights Day (IHRD), the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen has lauded the National Human Rights (NHRC) and Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) forum organized by the Commission, described it as a veritable intiative that will deepen the promotion and protection of human rights, particularly among the the vulnerable group in the country.
According to the Minister at the event titled, “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All” in commemoration of this year’s IHRD on the 10th of December, there is every need for the system to address cases of rape and gender-based violence, which she said, are on the increase on daily basis.
Dame Tallen who was former Deputy Governor of Plateau state expressed concern about the continuous escalation of Gender Based Violence in the country despite the various legal frameworks such as Violence Against Person’s Prohibition Act (VAPP), Anti-Torture Act etc., saying that cooperation of every stakeholder will go along way to halt the ugly trend.
The Minister therefore urged the CSOs to take their collaboration with the NHRC more seriously pointed out that cases of rape, assault, domestic violence, and other forms of abuses against women, girls and even boys need to be tackled head on.
In her welcome address, the Chairperson Governing Council of the NHRC, Dr. Salamatu Husseini Suleiman stated that the Commission’s collaboration with the CSOs is highly needed towards improving human rights protection, since the Commission alone cannot deal with all the human rights issues in the country.
She said; “The Commission, by this event, is engaging the civil society community which is recognized as key players in the promotion human rights”.
Dr Salamatu Suleiman noted that “CSOs are regarded as essential building blocks for development and national cohesion through sustained campaigns and advocacy for worthy causes”
“The CSOs play multiple roles in society as they serve as repositories of information, monitor government policies and actions and demand accountability from government”, she added.
In the same vein, the Chairperson said CSOs are considered watchdogs who monitor compliance with human rights and social norms, saying that the Commission is engaging them as a major step in promoting and protecting human rights and achieving its mandate, as well as realizing its goals and objectives as outlined in its Strategic Work Plan.
By collaborating with CSOs, she noted, the Commission can provide a clear, high level and enduring framework for the development of a human rights agenda for our dear nation in the days and months to come.
Speaking on the essence of the forum, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu said, beyond the Commission’s statutory mandate to work with civil society and other partners, the work of civil society organisations and human rights defenders is at the heart of human rights promotion and protection nationally, regionally and globally.
He said that civil society is the force that pioneers and sustains initiatives and actions that promote, protect, and fulfill human rights and that, from legal actions to advocacy, research, and humanitarian interventions, Nigerian civil society groups have shown dexterity and pioneering spirits even in harshest environments.
The NHRC boss said, the growth of civil society, and human rights work has been matched to a great extent with the strengthening of the mandate of the NHRC, “From humble beginnings as a creation of the military rule, the Commission through the amendment of its Act has become a major reference point for National Human Rights Institutions on the continent and globally.
“The independence of the Commission has been strengthened, and so is its funding structure, protective mandate, and quasi-judicial powers,” he said and added also that, the country is at the junction of democratic consolidation which called for all hands to be on deck and resources pooled together to advance a human right centered approach to governance and development in Nigeria.
He explained that NHRC/CSOs forum is pursuant to the provisions of section 5(g) of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act which empowers the Commission to “liaise and cooperate, in such manner as it considers appropriate, with local and International Organizations on human rights with the purpose of advancing the promotion and protection of human rights.
The forum, the Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria, noted is expected to be an annual event and will establish itself as the main human rights convening for Nigeria, bringing together civil society, policymakers, development partners, media, and academia to discuss and proffer solutions to human rights challenges in the country.
“The Forum should present ground-breaking ideas on how we can achieve human rights and become an incubator for policy, legislative, and institutional best practices in promotion and protection.
“Above all, this Forum should be an instigator and a major feeder to the work of the Commission in terms of special mechanisms as the current Governing Council has established Special Mechanisms involving rapporteurs in various fields”, he stated.
Similarly, a lead presenter on Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, Hon. Justice Olufunlola Oyelola Adekeye, CFR highlighted the need for the law enforcement agencies to respect human rights, saying that human rights should be enjoyed by every human and should not be denied.
The former Supreme Court Justice stated that respect for the rule of law should be respected and upheld above any other consideration pointing out that there are several laws protecting the rights of citizens such as NHRC Amendment Act, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act, Anti-Torture Act etc.
There were two segments at the occasion, namely: Forum on Civil Liberties and Rule of Law and Forum on Elections and Governance.
