NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION COMMEMORATES 2019 HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
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Human rights day celebration by NBA
Rhoda Nomhwange
In commemoration of the 2019 Human Rights Day, the Nigerian Bar Association Makurdi Branch led by its chairman J.K Ishember carried out a rally which saw members walked pass different public spaces and stopped at the High Court Premises in Makurdi.
The Chairman’s speech was delivered by the Branch Vice Chairman, Austine Chukwuma who said “this year’s World Human Rights Day coincided with the 71st anniversary of the universal declaration of the day by the United Nations in 1948.
He further explained that these are rights that every person enjoys by virtue of being human; the rights are popularized by the Universal declaration of human rights, adopted and codified in the African charter on Human rights and people’s rights and as re-enacted and domesticated in the Nigerian constitution as found under section 33 to 45 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. These are right to life, right to dignity of human person, right to personal liberty, right to fair learning, right to private and family life, right to freedom of expression and the press. Others include right to peaceful assembly and association, right to freedom of movement, right to freedom from discrimination and the right to acquire and own property.
Chukwuma further said some developments in Nigeria today threaten the human rights. These include the apparent and condemnable disregard of the rule of law: “With the continued existence of the internally displaced persons camps in Nigeria and the attendant inhuman and degrading treatment, electoral violence, child and women abuses and the deplorable state of our roads and insecurity in the country. Nigeria in recent times is almost becoming synonymous with disobedience to court orders. It is quite painful and sad that in a federation such as ours, an arm of government now decides whether or not to obey a valid court order. We saw this in the cases involving Ibrahim Dasuki, El-Zazarky and recently the case of Omoleye Sowore and co.
The statement stressed that human rights in Nigeria is threatened by the very arm of government statutorily saddled with the enforcement of the orders and decisions of the courts turns round to brazenly despise and desecrate orders.
The courts supposedly the hope of the common man are reduced to “toothless bull dogs instead of making them stronger. This could lead to a time or day when the actions and inactions of leaders will be seen as an open invitation to lawlessness. This is not different regarding the vandalism of critical infrastructure by hoodlums and corruption in public places affecting the socio-economic and political rights of Nigeria. With huge budget voted in and out every year for provision of steady power supply, construction of roads and other critical infrastructure with nothing to show for it.”
The right to vote and be voted for has been abused through violent electoral methods. Abuse of the Nigerian child is on the increase. Cases of rape and other social abuses of women and children are on the rise. The “Ochanyagate” is fresh in our minds. May her soul rest in peace!
Chukwuma appeals to government at all levels to promote and protect the rule of law by ensuring each arm of government functions without fear of intimidation by another arm. The fight against corruption should be sustained and aimed at improving the socio economic conditions of ordinary Nigerians. Protection of lives which is a primary responsibility of government should be enhanced to stem the tide of insecurity in Nigeria.
The lawyers also made a case for the Nigerian Bar Association Makurdi branch which has a vanguard for the fight against human rights abuse. Aside the advocacy and representation of victims in court, the BAR through Human Rights Committee engages in periodic interactions with the major stakeholders in the human rights struggle in addressing issues.
NBA Makurdi Branch has provided human rights desks in places like Katsina Ala, Otukpo and within internally displaced persons camps. The central desk secretariat is at Ashby House located along New Bridge Road, Opposite Victoria Atorough Complex for Makurdi branch. The officers are provided with necessary logistics to receive and keep statistics of complaints of human rights abuses for consideration.
The public is urged to make use of the NBA human rights desk to bring forth their complaints or contact the desk officers with their complaints or through the following help lines 0803874414, 08163534875 and 08169791557 or via Whatsapp number- 09075161821 and 08163534875.
A Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10th December, 1948 as International Human Rights Day. It encompasses specific standards for women, children, persons with disabilities, minorities and other vulnerable groups who posses’ rights that protect them from discrimination that had long been common in many societies. It is observed by individuals, community and religious groups, human rights organizations, governments and the United Nations every year.
