Nigeria’s regular participation in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nation’s Human Rights Council persuades government towards addressing gaps in human rights issues just as it assists in identifying the challenges.
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN stated this at the opening session of the one-day validation meeting of the Commission’s Alternative Report to the United Nation’s Human Rights Council for the 4th review circle of Nigeria under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism.
According to Ojukwu while welcoming participants to the meeting, “Nigeria’s active participation in 4th review cycle will provide the Federal Government the opportunity to re-assess its Constitutional obligations to, on a regular basis, guarantee the welfare and security of the citizenry. This will task government and relevant stakeholders to address root causes of inequalities, conflicts and other structural gaps in the country.
“In the same vein, it will provide an agenda for Nigeria to identify its human rights priorities and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and our national development plans.
The trajectory towards the 4th Cycle UPR has achieved significant milestone considering Nigeria’s active participation since inception of the UPR process in 2008.”
He recalled that at inception, Nigeria had expressed assurances as encapsulated in her Statement of Commitment, to submit herself to the UPR mechanism and cooperate fully with the Human Rights Council.
Further, he noted that the country expressed commitment to actively participate in the work of the Council and in cooperation with members of the Council, non- members as well as regional organizations and civil society, make the Human Rights Council a credible, strong, fair and effective UN human rights body.
The Executive Secretary, who was represented by the NHRC Director, Civil and Political Rights, Abdulrahman Yakubu, cited that the role of the National Human Rights Commission in the UPR process is anchored on Article 3 (d) and (e) of the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
According to him, “This obligates National Human Rights Institutions to, among others, “contribute to the reports which States are required to submit to the United Nations bodies and Committees as well as regional institutions.”
He explained that it mandates these Institutions to “cooperate with the United Nations and any other organization in the United Nations system in the areas of the protection and promotion of human rights” just as UPR requires participation of all relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions.
Ojukwu further said: “The Commission, pursuant to its mandate under the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act 2010 and mindful of its critical role in ensuring that Nigeria distinguishes herself among the community of nations with respect to international human rights obligations, has prepared its Alternative Report. The purpose is to provide alternative, credible and reliable information on human rights thematic areas to the UN Human Rights Council.”
He explained that the validation meeting was to take a critical look at the Alternative Report to ensure its accuracy and relevance towards addressing the realities in the country.
He urged the participants to scrutinize its contents, identify any gaps or areas of concern, and collectively ensure that it represents all the steps that Nigeria has taken to fulfill her international human rights obligations as well as challenges faced by the country.
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