NHRC urges govt to fulfill human rights obligations

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on Nigerians to always stand up for and demand their rights.

The commission’s executive secretary, Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, made the call in a statement to commemorate the International Human Rights Day.

The statement also commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Mr Ojukwu said the day’s celebration was to call upon Nigerians to always stand for and demand their rights from the government and other duty-bearers.

He emphasised that human rights are fundamental and God-given natural endowments that cannot be taken away by the authorities or non-state actors without recourse to the law.

“Remain steadfast and vigilant in the defence of your fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution and other national and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria has enacted or is obligated under international law.

“The 2023 Human Rights Day is also the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; it is a unique document that proclaims dignity, equality, and justice as common standards for all people and all nations.

“Its 30 articles constitute a promise and a set of gifts for humanity which guarantee dignity, life, security, access to education, healthcare, employment, fair pay, voting rights, and gender equality.

“The values of free speech, privacy, and mutual respect irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, or religion,” he said.

Mr Ojukwu called on governments at national, state, and local levels to prioritise the fulfillment of human rights through budgetary, policy, legislative, and programmatic investments.

He stressed the need for investments that would implement the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy enshrined in chapter 2 of the constitution by placing the security and welfare of Nigerians above personal, partisan, ethnic, and religious interests and considerations.

“Reflect on the tripartite obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights and ensure that these are reflected in budgetary, policy, legislative, and programmatic activities of government.

“Adopting human rights-based approaches to economic and policy reforms will ensure that government prioritises the achievement of its obligations to fulfill the human rights of all Nigerians,” he said. 

He, therefore, urged law enforcement and security agencies to reflect on the past and imbibe practices that respect the fundamental rights of citizens in their duties.

Human Rights Day was proclaimed by the 317th plenary meeting of the General Assembly on December 4, 1950, to be celebrated on December 10 every year in honour of the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1948.

 (NAN)