The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has noted with deep concern the alleged maltreatment of Nigerians and Africans in Guangzhou and other parts of the Peoples Republic of China.
The Commission in a statement by its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, said information at its disposal indicated that Nigerians and other African nationals had been singled out for forced quarantine despite undergoing an initial 14-day quarantine.
Further, the Commission maintained that reports of ejection of Nigerians from their homes and hotels by the Chinese authorities were clearly acts of discrimination and a gross violation of human rights.
The Commission also noted with concern the reports of seizure of international passports belonging to Nigerians.
“This is a not only a violation of international human rights norms but one that is capable of rendering Nigerians stateless in a time of global emergency when nations are evacuating their nationals to safety.
“The alleged maltreatment of Nigerians during an outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic when nations of the world are coalescing in unprecedented acts of solidarity and commitments should be condemned in all its forms, the Commission stated.
The Commission called on the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take immediate steps in reaching out to the Chinese Government to put a stop to the harassment of Nigerians, Africans and indeed any citizen of the world in the guise of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ojukwu said, “In particular, we urge the Government of Nigeria to take all necessary steps to evacuate Nigerians willing to come home from China and other countries where they are currently at risk of discrimination or any form of racial abuse as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The Commission commends the immediate actions already taken by the Nigerian Mission in China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.”
He assured that the Commission in exercise of its mandate would continue to monitor the human rights situation of Nigerians during and after the COVID-19 response.
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