The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to implementing human rights treaties and conversations entered into , that guarantee basic human rights for citizens, adherence to the rule of law and access to justice.
The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Justice (SGF/PS) Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba OON,mni stated this in her welcome address at the 2023 Commemoration of the International Human Rights Day in Abuja on Monday 11th December, 2023.
Represented by Director Citizen’s Rights Department, Mrs Roseline Tarsha, she explained that the commitment has resulted in several measures embarked on by the government to not only fulfil in international obligations but to ensure respect for human rights.
“According to her, the federal government has also established several human rights mechanisms such as the National Human Rights Commission in 1995, the Committee Against Torture in 2009 and several other MDA’s and quasi-judicial bodies aimed at enforcing aspects of human rights in Nigeria,”.
” However, the government cannot do this alone and we solicit your support ,cooperation and expertise to ensure that international standards and obligations are complied with
For instance, the Committee Against Torture was re-constituted in September 2022,drawing membership from law enforcement agencies,civil society organisations,academia and other stakeholders,with a view to making the Committee more effective ” she explained.
Jedy-Agba also seized the opportunity to encourage diligent law enforcement agencies to continue to take measures to combating torture in all their detention centres and upholding human rights standards.
” We are indeed partners in this journey and the Federal Ministry of Justice will take deliberate proactive steps to sensitive, engage and train our officers on human rights standards, particularly as it relates to management of our detention centres, SGF/PS further explained”.
She also explained that 75 years ago on 10th December,1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of human rights.
She added that since then, the day is annually commemorated for the celebration of human today.This is a worldwide gathering, a celebration of human rights .
According to her, “human rights address the rights entitled to every citizen.These rights are inherited from the birth of a human being and no one can replace them”.
The Executive Chairman National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Mr Tony Ojukwu SAN, in his joint press statement to commemorate the International Human Rights Day, said justice is the cornerstone of any fair society.
“We must acknowledge the challenges within our legal system and commit to on going reforms that strengthen the judiciary,enhance access to justice and combat corruption .
“We pledge to address impunity and work towards a Nigeria where everyone is equal before the law” he explained.
Modupe Ogundoro
Director, Information
12th December, 2023.