Nigeria Is Not Only Country With Human Rights Challenges, Says UN

The United Nations (UN) has said Nigeria is not the only country
facing myriad human rights challenges.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a programme, titled, “UN and
Partners Dialogue on Human Rights Priorities in Nigeria,” the UN
Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Edward Kallon said, “Like
other countries, Nigeria faces myriad human rights challenges. As
Nigeria strives towards a nation that acknowledges the rights of
all human beings with strong and effective national protection
systems, UN instruments and the mechanisms they have established as
well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999
sets the agenda for much of the work.”

The programme, the first of its kind, is an initiative of the
United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in collaboration with the
National Human Rights Commission, Office of the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Women.

Kallon, who was represented by United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, said, “Through
this consultation, we aim to reach a common understanding between
the Government, human rights partners, civil society, and the UN on
human rights priorities in Nigeria.”

As part of efforts made by Nigeria to ensure respect of human
rights, Kalli said, “Nigeria has ratified the nine core UN human
rights treaties, including other regional instruments. The Nigerian
Constitution has elaborate provisions on the protection of human
rights.

“In the last five years, Nigeria has been reviewed by three
treaties bodies, namely, the Human Rights Committee, Committee on
the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and
the Committee of the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant
Workers and Members of Their Families.

“Since 2014, the country has hosted eight special procedures
mandate holders. Nigeria has been reviewed thrice under the
Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council (UPR) namely
in 2009, 2013 and 2018. During its third UPR process, Nigeria
received 290 recommendations out of which it supported 240.

“The supported recommendations relate to legal and general
framework of implementation, universal and cross-cutting issues,
civil and political rights, economic, social, and cultural rights,
women’s rights, and rights of other vulnerable groups and
persons.”

He also revealed that most of the 290 recommendations related to
SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), SDG 5 (gender
equality), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 1 (no poverty) and
SDG 4 (quality education).

Kallon said to effectively address protracted human rights
crises around the world, the Call to Action must move beyond words
and be expeditiously implemented, noting, “This initiative today,
is a step towards realising, in Nigeria, the dreams captured in the
Call to Action for human rights.”

He added that already several UN agencies, funds and programmes
are supporting various human rights initiatives in the country,
while stressing, “This consultation with Government and national
partners will aim to streamline these efforts and achieve
coherence, building the necessary momentum for results.”

In his remarks, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights
Commission, Tony Ojukwu, said, “This kind of dialogue, though long
overdue, could not have come at a better time. This is because the
country continues to face numerous human rights challenges in the
face of activities of both state and non-state actors and we must,
as a people, think outside the box for viable solutions out of this
conundrum.”

He said it was important for all of stakeholders to reflect
deeply on the human rights situation in Nigeria with a view to
drawing up a priority plan that could effectively engage the human
rights challenges of the country.

Ojukwu said, “As a necessary stakeholders, the UN, MDAs and CSOs
should be very interested in a priority plan that could result from
a dialogue like this.”

He recalled that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, Austria
in 1993 requested that, “Each State considers the desirability of
drawing up a national action plan identifying steps whereby the
State would improve the protection and promotion of human
rights.”

Ojukwu added, “On its own part, the Commission has developed a
strategic work plan to effectively and successfully discharge its
mandate for promotion and protection of human rights of Nigerians.
It has established offices across all 36 states to increase access
to Nigerians.

“Addressing human rights issues for a huge country like Nigeria
requires collaborative approach. The Commission has also
coordinated the development of the current draft NAP Document on
human rights.

“The Commission has fully collaborated with all CSOs and
Development partners who have extended the hand of partnership to
it. I am happy to say that the participants across this room are
all key partners of the Commission and we cherish our partnerships
with you all.”

The United Nations (UN) has said Nigeria is not the only country
facing myriad human rights challenges.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a programme, titled, “UN and
Partners Dialogue on Human Rights Priorities in Nigeria,” the UN
Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Edward Kallon said, “Like
other countries, Nigeria faces myriad human rights challenges. As
Nigeria strives towards a nation that acknowledges the rights of
all human beings with strong and effective national protection
systems, UN instruments and the mechanisms they have established as
well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999
sets the agenda for much of the work.”

The programme, the first of its kind, is an initiative of the
United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in collaboration with the
National Human Rights Commission, Office of the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Women.

Kallon, who was represented by United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, said, “Through
this consultation, we aim to reach a common understanding between
the Government, human rights partners, civil society, and the UN on
human rights priorities in Nigeria.”

As part of efforts made by Nigeria to ensure respect of human
rights, Kalli said, “Nigeria has ratified the nine core UN human
rights treaties, including other regional instruments. The Nigerian
Constitution has elaborate provisions on the protection of human
rights.

“In the last five years, Nigeria has been reviewed by three
treaties bodies, namely, the Human Rights Committee, Committee on
the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and
the Committee of the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant
Workers and Members of Their Families.

“Since 2014, the country has hosted eight special procedures
mandate holders. Nigeria has been reviewed thrice under the
Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council (UPR) namely
in 2009, 2013 and 2018. During its third UPR process, Nigeria
received 290 recommendations out of which it supported 240.

“The supported recommendations relate to legal and general
framework of implementation, universal and cross-cutting issues,
civil and political rights, economic, social, and cultural rights,
women’s rights, and rights of other vulnerable groups and
persons.”

He also revealed that most of the 290 recommendations related to
SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), SDG 5 (gender
equality), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 1 (no poverty) and
SDG 4 (quality education).

Kallon said to effectively address protracted human rights
crises around the world, the Call to Action must move beyond words
and be expeditiously implemented, noting, “This initiative today,
is a step towards realising, in Nigeria, the dreams captured in the
Call to Action for human rights.”

He added that already several UN agencies, funds and programmes
are supporting various human rights initiatives in the country,
while stressing, “This consultation with Government and national
partners will aim to streamline these efforts and achieve
coherence, building the necessary momentum for results.”

In his remarks, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights
Commission, Tony Ojukwu, said, “This kind of dialogue, though long
overdue, could not have come at a better time. This is because the
country continues to face numerous human rights challenges in the
face of activities of both state and non-state actors and we must,
as a people, think outside the box for viable solutions out of this
conundrum.”

He said it was important for all of stakeholders to reflect
deeply on the human rights situation in Nigeria with a view to
drawing up a priority plan that could effectively engage the human
rights challenges of the country.

Ojukwu said, “As a necessary stakeholders, the UN, MDAs and CSOs
should be very interested in a priority plan that could result from
a dialogue like this.”

He recalled that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, Austria
in 1993 requested that, “Each State considers the desirability of
drawing up a national action plan identifying steps whereby the
State would improve the protection and promotion of human
rights.”

Ojukwu added, “On its own part, the Commission has developed a
strategic work plan to effectively and successfully discharge its
mandate for promotion and protection of human rights of Nigerians.
It has established offices across all 36 states to increase access
to Nigerians.

“Addressing human rights issues for a huge country like Nigeria
requires collaborative approach. The Commission has also
coordinated the development of the current draft NAP Document on
human rights.

“The Commission has fully collaborated with all CSOs and
Development partners who have extended the hand of partnership to
it. I am happy to say that the participants across this room are
all key partners of the Commission and we cherish our partnerships
with you all.”