The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recorded 106, 604 complaints of human rights violations in the month of June.
This was made known on Monday by the NHRC Executive Secretary , Dr Anthony Ojukwu, SAN at the presentation of the commission’s 6th dashboard report on human rights violations.
” For the month of June, we received an unprecedented number of 106,604 complaints.
“This increase is disturbing but not unexpected.
“This positive development is a testament to the concerted efforts of all stakeholders involved.
” It underscores the impact of our targeted interventions and collaborative efforts in safeguarding the rights of our most vulnerable population” he said.
According to Ojukwu, the sharp increase could also be directly attributed to the awareness on human rights raised across the country by the 36 states offices and the FCT.
He further attributed the increase on their partnership with community, traditional and religious organisations to raise awareness on human rights and NHRC complaints mechanism.
” Over the last six months, we have continued to re-assess the outlook, contents and presentation of the dashboard to cover all aspects of human rights at thematic, sector and population-based levels.
” Today, we present to you a new and revamped dashboard featuring a new complaints divisions and disaggregation, incorporating the rights of vulnerable population such as women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
” We have also featured thematic issues such as access to justice, environment, sexual and gender-based violence amongst others.
” A disheartening trend we have observed this month is the increase in the level of mob justice and extra-judicial killings in many parts of the country” he added.
Ojukwu noted that the dashboard also revealed areas that require immediate attention.
According to him such areas of emerging challenges are freedom of expression and targeted abductions.
He noted further that the defilement of minors still presents a worrisome situation.
” These insights are invaluable as they guide our priorities and strategies moving forward.
” We are presenting this June Dashboard at a time when Cholera is ravaging parts of the country with over 60 deaths recorded. We are also faced with the impact of flooding in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
” These incidents have huge implication for the enjoyment of human rights and I urge the federal and state authorities to be alive to their responsibilities to protect the right to life and human dignity” he said.
He acknowledged the efforts already made by stakeholders, and urged that securing the rights of citizens in these emergencies become the ultimate goal of every intervention.
According to Ojukwu, today’s presentation will once again offer a comprehensive overview of the current state of human rights in our country.
” It will also provide an in-depth analysis of the human rights situation in Nigeria over the past six months, highlighting key trends, progress and areas needing further attention.
” I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our partners at the United Nations Development Program and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for their unwavering support.
” Their collaboration has been instrumental in the creation and continuous improvement of this dashboard, which has become an invaluable tool for all of us” he said.
Similarly, the Senior Human Rights Adviser to Executive Secretary, Mr Hillary Ogbonna expressed concern over the increase.
In his breakdown, he said, the North Central still topped the table on the human rights violations with a record of 29, 462, closely followed by South South with 21, 603.
According to him, the South West recorded 18, 458, North West recorded 15, 101, North East, 12, 907, while South East recorded the lowest of 9, 164
Ogbonna noted that there were extra judicial killings in some states like Bauchi state, Ondo state, Ogun while cultism was recorded in Edo
He added that attacks on Police stations were recorded, one in FCT, while Ebonyi recorded two.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dashboard is a monthly analysis and graphical presentation of human rights situation in Nigeria while the Observatory is for monitoring, reporting and analysing the human rights violations.
NAN reports that on Feb. 14, the commission inaugurated the maiden edition of human rights dashboard and observatory and presented the report of January.
NAN reports further that in January, a total of 1,147 complaints was recorded against 1,484 recorded in February, March recorded a total of 1580 complaints , April recorded 19,470 while May recorded 55, 218.(NAN)
By Edith Nwap
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