NHRC accuses insurgents of abuses in north-east
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says it has become imperative to deal with emerging human rights concerns emanating from continuous attacks by insurgents/terrorists and counter -insurgency operations in the north-east.
Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu stated this at a three-day inception training of human rights monitors on effective human rights monitoring and documentation, under the 2020 Human Rights Monitoring Project of the commission and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
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At the training organised by both institutions, Ojukwu said the focus of this year’s project will among other things centre on regular visits to detention centres to ensure their compliance with human rights standards.
While urging monitors to ensure that violations that are hitherto unnoticed and under-reported are brought to fore for possible redress, the human rights boss emphasised on sensitisation of stakeholders on decriminalisation of petty offences, with a view to promoting the rights to access to justice of the population of concern.
Head of Field Office UNHCR, Yola, Ms. Eliane Amoussou, said human rights is one of the pillars of the United Nations, therefore human rights monitors are on the frontline of combating abuses and promoting respect for human rights.
She called on relevant stakeholders to partner with human rights monitors in addressing human rights violations, saying the report documented from field work is important in seeking accountability for human abuses and justice for victims.
This, according to her, is a foundation for advocating for policies and programs that promote and protect human rights.
Participants at the training applauded the NHRC and UNHCR for providing the opportunity for capacity building, adding that the training will empower them to deliver on their schedules effectively. The participants are human rights monitors from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
