The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN has identified the National Action Plan (NAP) for the promotion and protection of human rights as a transformative policy document that deserve support of all stakeholders.
The NHRC Chief Executive Officer who stated this at Inter-Agency Consultative Workshop on the Implementation of the National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights noted that NAP stands out as a comprehensive policy document that could be used to deepen human rights protection in Nigeria.
According to the Executive Secretary, the development of the NAP involved extensive consultations with MDAs and the civil society, led by the National Human Rights Commission. Its focus is to address gaps, promote, protect and enforce human rights in compliance with national and global human rights standards.
The learned Silk therefore seized the opportunity to appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria on behalf of the NHRC for the adoption of the National Action Plan and for enabling the Commission to serve as the secretariat.
Besides, "We are grateful to the Foreign, Development and Commonwealth of the United Kingdom and the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) for their support to the hosting of this timely event. And to all our partners, especially the Ministries, Departments and Agencies upon whose mandate the implementation of the National Action Plan has fallen unto, and to the human rights stakeholders here today, I want to thank you for honouring this invitation", Dr. Ojukwu said.
Going memory lane on the development of the NAP the Human Rights Advocate recalled that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (1993) recommends that each State develop a National Action Plan to systematically advance human rights.
"In line with the aforementioned Declaration, the Federal Executive Council, in April 2023 approved the Nigerian National Action Plan for the promotion and protection of human rights which is a twin document that incorporates the National Action Plan for Business and Human rights, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to human rights protection", he added
He stated that the this workshop seeks to introduce the NAP to the broad spectrum of implementing partners and agencies in this room; clarify the roles and responsibilities of key actors in the implementation process; create inter-agency collaboration in ensuring the effective implementation; identify challenges and opportunities for advancing human rights through the NAP framework and to strengthen partnerships with critical stakeholders, including development partners.
In a related development, the Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria condemned the practice of parading suspects whose cases are yet to be tried and determined in court.
The NHRC Boss noted that it is a breach of the Constitution for any institution including the law enforcement agencies to parade suspect on television or other media without recourse to the Constitutional provisions and the rule of law.
He emphasized that it is only a court of competent jurisdiction that has the powers to pronounce someone guilty of an offense. Hence such parades may give an erroneous impression that the suspect is guilty, whereas the law states that every suspect is innocent until proven guilty.
Also, the Chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde appreciated the foreign partners supporting Nigeria's human rights development.
The Chairman who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Hon. Mudashiru Lukeman stated that "we must stand against unfairness and call for collective improvement to ensure justice and respect for all".
Similarly, the Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu said that the PSC stands against human rights violations, particularly the parade of suspects.
He pointed out that parading suspects amounts to violation of the law and that stakeholders should work together to stop such practices in the interest of justice.
In the same vein, he picked holes with the the practice of the Nigerian Judiciary issuing bail conditions where sureties must be Directors who owe properties in highbrow areas like Maitama, Abuja considering their income.
In his submission, the Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Dr. Clement Nwankwo commended the efforts of the National Assembly Committees on Human Rights in advancing human rights in the country.
He observed that while amendments are proposed, the Police still parade suspects while displaying the same arms, ammunitions and armlets reportedly siezed from suspects, saying that such is unlawful since suspects are presumably innocent until proven guilty.
Referring to the removal of the Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara by declaration of State of emergency in the State, he stated that removing elected leaders without recourse to the Constitution and rule of law remains illegal and unacceptable.
In his presentation of the NAP, the Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna emphasized the need for effective legal reforms to enhance the enjoyment of human rights in Nigeria.
The Erudite lawyer noted that all rights are interrelated and therefore should be attended to in a holistic manner, saying that the right to life cannot be fully realized without the right to heath care and food.
In her goodwill message, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever lauded Nigeria's commitment to human rights saying that effective implementation of the NAP will strengthen democracy.
"We are ready to collaborate with Nigeria to implement the NAP. Human Rights should not be aspirational; leaders must be held accountable. Human rights remains the cornerstone of every progressive society", the British Envoy said.
