by SOLA AYANWOLA
In view of the forthcoming WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION, ACHIEVERS MAGAZINE had a chat with Niger State Coordinator and the following ensued.
ACHIEVERS MAGAZINE
It is no longer news that the National Human Right Day celebration comes up every 10th of December , across the World. Why Human Right in the first place. ?
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Human Rights are rights of Individuals which can not be taken away from them as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.
According to 1999 constitution, this rights are into 2 categories
1. Civil Political Right
2. Economic , Social and Cultural Right
The Civil Political Right are right to Life and Property, freedom of Speech and Association as well as Freedom of movement. etc.
While Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are right to Education, Health, Housing etc.
The Economic Social and Cultural Right are peculiar to state policies and it can only be achieve when the state Government are capable of financing it.
Dr. Nuhu Muhammad
Niger State coordinator
National Human Rights Commission
Though the National Human Right Commission which is an Institution of Government charge with the responsibility of promoting and protecting the rights of citizens is making a case before the National Assembly to see that the Non -Justifiable rights which can be referred to as Economy , Social and Cultural rights are not considered to be optional but compulsory.
The National Human Rights Commission believe that , Nigerians must have right to Health, Education, Housing, Food and Shelter. etc.
However, the National Human Rights Day celebration is an International event celebrated Worldwide to create awareness towards making sure that everyone across the globe is granted fundamental human rights.
The Universal Declaration of Human Right of 1948 instituted that all State partys or Members State should be established and also mark National Human rights day by 10th of December of every year.
Although before the said 10th December, there is 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence even as in collaboration with some NGOs, we have been observing it for the past few years.
Therefore, we are preparing seriously to do our best for the coming National Human Right Day celebration which will commence from 25th of November to 10th of December
ACHIEVERS MAGAZINE
How far has the Human Right Commission in Niger State gone to assist Nigerlites on the issue of Human Rights abuses.
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The Niger State office of Human Rights Commission was established in the year 2012, with Barrister Kabiru as pioneer state coordinator . He was here between 2012 to 2018 when I took over from him.
Notwithstanding, on daily basis we have been receiving alot of complains in respect of Human rights abuses. Most of the cases we have so far handle border on family negligence, unlawful detention and Gender Based Violence etc.
And all this cases comes in everyday of the week including Saturday and Sunday and we swing into action.
Moreso, the Human Right Commission have gone into partnership with Niger State Command of the Nigeria Police Force and they have been cooperating with the commission.
This is because there is no time the Human Right Commission will invite them to work us that they will not answer.
And in respect to the cases of unlawful detention either with Civil Defence, Nigeria Police Force and Military, we go there to assist the victims.
Moreso in our office here, we have received alot of Letter of Appreciation from people whose appointment were terminated without getting their benefits.
This is because the Human Right Commission stood him for them and they were able to get their entitlement.
Also, there is the cases of Rayiwa Central Assault and Refferal Centre, they worked in the area of rape cases. If rape cases were established we will immediately rushed the victim to the nearest Hospital for further medical examination after which Human Right Commission will take further step to address the issue.
I can categorically tell you that Human Right Commission in Niger State have handled alot of Cases.
ACHIEVERS MAGAZINE
Whenever you tell people about Human Right Commission as an Agency assigned by the Federal Government for the protection Nigerians righs, there is response is i don’t have money. What is your take about on this.
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Yes! There is a platform now which is being coordinated by one of my staff, Barrister Maryam, where Nigerlites are being sensitized about the activities of Human Right Commission.
She has also started a live programme at Baddeggi Radio to aggressively sensitize Nigerlites about the existence of Human Rights Commission in Niger State and also to know that their services are free.
“All it will take is for you to come to our office with your complain then we would look into it before taking a step.
We will also invite the person you complain of, because Human Right Commission will not just relied on the information provided by the complainer. If it calls for mediation or redress we will go for it.
The power of National Human Rights Commission as far as the 1999 constitution is concerned, equivalent to that of the High Court by the ammendment Act.
By and large we still need to go on with more aggressive sensitization about the existence of Human Right Commission in Niger State and there free Services.
The Human Right Commission is everywhere in Niger State handling alot of Human Right violation cases and mediation in crisis areas.
