By Raphael Ekpang
In it quest to increase the promotion and protection of human rights in the country, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday met with Civil Society Organisations in an inaugural meeting to strategise on ways to increase the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu (SAN) said “The NHRC/Civil Society Forum on Human Rights has been a long expectation from the NHRC and indeed stakeholders in the human rights community.
He made this known in Abuja on Wednesday in one of the activities organised by the Commission to commemorate the International Human Rights Day, with the theme, “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All”
He noted that the formation stems from 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.”
According to Ojukwu, added to this, the Commission’s mandate under section 5 para (m) is to “promote an understanding of public discussions of human rights issues in Nigeria.
The NHRC scribe who was visibly happy with the formation of NHRC/Civil Society Forum said beyond their statutory mandate to work with civil society and other partners, it is important to note that the work of civil society organisations and human rights defenders is at the heart of human rights promotion and protection nationally, regionally and globally.
” It is civil society movements that we can credit with the abolition of slavery, the end of apartheid and colonialism, the end of military rule and wave of democratisation that blew across the length and breadth of Africa in the 90s.In Nigeria, civil society is the force that pioneers and sustain initiatives and actions that promotes, protects and fulfils human rights.
“From legal actions to advocacy, research and humanitarian interventions, Nigerian civil society groups have shown dexterity and pioneering spirits even in harshest environments. Today, we have litanies of legislations such as the Freedom of Information Act, the Child Rights Act and the Persons with Disabilities Act which are the sole achievements of civil society organisations in Nigeria.” The growth of civil society human rights work has been matched to a great extent with the strengthening of the mandate of the NHRC.
“Our expectation is that this forum will be an annual event and will establish itself as the main human rights convening for Nigeria, bringing together civil society, policy makers, development partners, media and academia to discuss and proffer solutions to human rights challenges in the country,” he said.
Earlier, the chairperson of the governing council of the NHRC, Dr Salamtu Sulaiman had said that by this event, the commission is engaging the civil society community which are recognized as key players in the promotion of human rights.She noted that CSOs are regarded as essential building blocks for development and national cohesion through sustained campaigns and advocacy for worthy causes
According to her, “The Forum is expected to achieve improved mutual understanding and trust building by maintaining a regular two–way dialogue, it will be able to listen to, and understand more clearly, the issues, concerns and ideas of stakeholders and the publics.
” I therefore implore all participants to listen and make meaningful contributions that will form part of the recommendations to be considered in the development of a human rights agenda for Nigeria,” she said.
