Human Rights Commission calls for scrutiny of Nigeria’s domestic laws

As the battle to contend terrorism and other forms of insecurity by the Nigerian security forces rages on, the country’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the subjection of all laws in the country to proper verification and scrutiny to ensure compliance with international human rights standards.

A statement by Hajiya Fatimah Mohammed, the Commission’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs quoted the Executive Secretary, Barr. Tony Ojukwu as saying “the Commission is legally empowered to “review any law that impacts on the enjoyment of human rights,” in Nigeria.

According to the statement, Barr. Ojukwu, who was represented by the Director of Civil and Political Rights, Mr. Abdulrahaman Yakubu, made the called while receiving in audience a delegation from the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate of the United Nations.

Mr. Ojukwu said his Commission is collaborating with the National Assembly, Nigeria’s parliamentary arm of government to ensure the compliance of all laws with international best practices.

He also said, working with stakeholders to minimize the effect of terrorism on the civilians populace, the Commission has prioritised civilians protection and victims’ rights during conflict. Adding that such efforts have aided the mainstreaming of human rights and humanitarian law into counter-terrorism strategy.

Speaking earlier on the purpose of their visit, leader of the delegations, Ms. Kelly Low said they were in Nigeria to assess the country’s progress, strength and challenges in the implementation of the Security Council Resolution to enable them to make adequate recommendations on steps to be taken in order to fully implement the resolution.

She expressed satisfaction with the progress of work done by the Commission as it relate to counter-terrorism in the North East citing monitoring of human rights and humanitarian challenges of IDP occasioned by insurgency, training of security personnel on mainstreaming human rights in counter-terrorism operations, organization of transitional justice programme aimed at bringing lasting peace to the region most affected by insurgency, visits to detention facilities to monitor the conditions of inmates among others.