Lite-Africa Advocates Proactive Reforms In Security Agencies For Human Rights Protection

Lite-Africa Advocates Proactive Reforms In Security Agencies For Human Rights Protection

It is no news that Nigeria which is arguably the giant of Africa, has a lot of human rights violations issues.

And to redress it, Lite-Africa organized a one-day workshop for security operatives on the topic STRENGTHENING REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLES IN NIGERIA with the focus on Security and Human Right.

The workshop which was undertaken in partnership with DCAF- Geneva, with funding from the UK foreign office, with the peace and human rights division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs through DCAF ‘s security and human rights implementation mechanism (SHIRM) held at Rapha Hotel, Ltd, in Umuahia Abia state on 22nd march,2024.

Addressing the participants which includes Civil Defense, Military, Media, Community Representatives, and some Private Company Security Personnels, Barr. Mrs. Uche Nwokocha Coordinator National Human Rights commission Abia state posited that Human Right and all fundamental freedom are inalienable right of the people and must be protected by the state.

“The principles proclaimed in the charter of the United Nations recognizes the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family and this is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world ‘

“The obligation of states under the charter, in particular Article 55, is to promote universal respect for, and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms’

“Article 5 of the universal Declaration of human Rights and article 7 of the international convention on civil and political Rights, both of which provides that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” she stated.

She further noted that, the declaration on the protection of all persons from being subjected to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, or punishment, was adopted by the general Assembly on 9th December 1975.

In her words, “to ensure that the rights of all persons, including suspects, detainees and prisoners are respected at all times, and that no person placed under investigation or held in custody of any person in authority shall be subjected to physical harm, force, violence, threat or intimidation or any act that impairs his free will.

She went further to state that the proliferation of anti-crime operations by the federal police has resulted in extrajudicial executions, deaths in custody, acts of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in police detention centers throughout the country.

“Police action has been particularly gruesome in their fight against crime”.

She further posited that the general public concern over crime has increased the pressure on the police to arrest as many armed robbers as possible, but this outcry by the population has also been used by the Nigerian police to systematically justify human rights violations as being an unavoidable part of this fight against crime.

While speaking Barr. Dr. Innocent Acyennjhure of Lite-Africa, highlighted the identification of deepening economic and social deprivations, receding judicial independence, denial of fair hearing in the courts, and serious abuse of the electoral process as additional areas of concern.

He revealed persistent issues, including violations of rights, denial of civil liberties, abuse of citizens by police and security agencies and a concerning erosion of civic space.

He stressed that urgent action is required to address these challenges and preserve the nation’s democracy.

Dr. Innocent asserted that the government must eliminate practices infringing on personal freedoms, particularly addressing the longstanding challenge of police abuse of human rights.

He called for special reforms to enhance the capabilities of security forces in fulfilling their duty to secure citizens and the nation.

Furthermore, Innocent urged for accountability for security officials involved in human rights abuses, emphasizing the importance of government institutions adhering to established laws safeguarding human rights and civic space.

Innocent, underscored the need to reinstate citizens’ trust in the judiciary and hold judicial officers accountable for any abuse of office.

In conclusion, “justice has to be so blind that it should not see race ,color, class, sex, connections and social status, the slightest glimpse of justice to see any of the above, amounts to pervasion of justice, any consideration of the above by anyone who is saddled with the responsibility of administration of justice will amount to injustice, he stated.