Human Rights Commission Develops Standard Training Manual For Security Operatives

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has moved to give more impetus to observance of human rights issues by security agencies in course of their day to day operations.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, explained that in the past the Commission had in one way or the other been able to bring to the fore issues of human rights abuses by training and retaining of security operatives, especially police officers who are in constant touch with the public.

However, noting that the content of the past training materials were based on adhoc arrangements, Ojukwu said the Commission has developed a handy standard training manual which is subject to review from time to time as new human rights issues emerge.

Ojukwu spoke on Thursday during the opening session of the two-day workshop to validate on mainstreaming human rights into law enforcement in Nigeria.

According to Ojukwu, “With this present effort, the Commission has deemed it necessary to develop a standard training manual, which will provide uniform training to law enforcement agents on human rights approach to law enforcement and policing.

“The training manual which Was developed with the support of MacArthur Foundation is expected to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agents on human rights: Principles, accountability and respect for rule of law.”

Further, Ojukwu explained that development of a training manual to mainstream human rights into law enforcement in Nigeria is part of a larger project on Strengthening Police Reform in Nigeria, funded by MacArthur Foundation and being implemented by the Commission, in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, CLEEN Foundation, Network for Police Reforms In Nigeria (NOPRIN), and Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Center (RULAAC).

The training manual is divided into seven modules including: Police ethics and Code of conduct, Policing and human rights, Stop and search, arrest, detention, use of force, and Public order policing.

The purpose of the validation meeting is to ensure that the manual is vetted and made fit for purpose and to ensure that the course content is engaging and provides trainees with relevant knowledge and expertise to mainstream human rights into law enforcement leading to attitudinal change in the course of their work.

Earlier, the Director, Human Rights Institute, Mrs Ifeoma Nwakama who gave a background of the manual, explained that it was meant to make security agents to be conscious of human rights issues while doing their jobs.

He said the training programme will involve the training team to move from one zone of the country to the other.