Nigeria seek re-election into UN Human Rights Council

The Federal Government has launched a bid for re-election into the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva for the 2018 to 2020 term at an election scheduled for today, (Monday) at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN Office and Other International Organisations in Geneva, Amb. Audu Kadiri, stated this in New York at a party to launch his re-election campaign.

Soliciting for the support of his colleagues, he said, “We solicit your firm support” adding, Nigeria’s re-election bid for membership of UNHRC is informed by many considerations.

“If re-elected, through your invaluable support, Nigeria intends to continue its positive contributions to making the Council more effective and efficient in delivering its mandate on the global human rights agenda.

“With a view to enabling the Human Rights Council to realise its core objectives in our increasingly polarised world, Nigeria has stood out as a voice for moderation” the envoy stated.

The UNHRC is a UN system comprising of inter-governmental body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world.

The current tenure of Kadiri is from 2015 to 2017 while a successful re-election would extend his tenure to 2020, placing him among the four countries representing West Africa and the 13 countries representing Africa in the 47-seat Council.

Speaking to newsmen Kadiri said: “You are already aware that the Federal Government of Nigeria has presented its bid for re-election into the UN Human Rights Council for the 2018 to 2020 term.”

While presenting his manifesto to the audience, Kadiri said “we are motivated by the conviction that in representing Africa while serving the global community in the Council, Nigeria would advance the work of the Council.

“The country will therefore retain the opportunity to continue to share best practices with other members of the Human Rights Council in the important task of the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Nigeria, Africa and the world”.

He pointed out the increasingly turbulent and conflicts in the world which is a pointer to the neglect of the dignity and safety of the human person, abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“These worrisome developments notwithstanding, Nigeria remains undaunted in striving to make its contributions to the preservation of the ideals, aspirations and core principles upon which the Council was founded.

“Permit me to note that barely two weeks ago, we colourfully celebrated Nigeria’s National Day, here in New York.

“It is important to observe in this regard that since it’s attainment of independence in 1960, the promotion and protection of human rights have provided the fulcrum for Nigeria’s foreign policy.”

Kadiri stated further that Nigeria had put in place various institutions and policy measures to enhance the flowering and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country, as provided for in its Constitution. He pledged Nigeria’s commitment to the international human rights agenda, noting that the country had illustriously served the global community on UNHRC for three terms – 2006-2009, 2009-2012 and currently, 2015-2017.

“Nigeria endeavoured to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Council by approaching and dealing with human rights issues objectively. He said it was worthy of recall also, Nigeria’s fulfillment of its pledges and commitments upon admission to the Human Rights Council in 2006.

“Nigeria is on record to have issued a standing invitation to all, I repeat, all Special Procedures Mandate Holders to visit the country.

“We have therefore continued to subject our country to the scrutiny of these independent human rights experts and representatives of treaty bodies, many of whom have commended Nigeria’s cooperation.”

Myke Uzendu with Agency Reports